Defense questions police interrogation
Masonman accusedof killing a Dayton 15-year-old.
The defense team for a Mason man charged in the killing of a Dayton 15-year-old questioned why police brought up the defendant’s dead brother during an interrogation.
JackeemCollins, ofMason, now 19, is charged in Montgomery CountyCommonPleasCourt with murder, felonious assault and weapon charges in connection to the shooting death of Qua’Lek Shelton. Collins has pleaded not guilty, and his defense team has asked a judge to bar the use of statements made by Collins to police.
The defense filed their brief this week, asking a judge to examine whether an “alleged confession” should be allowed. The defense saysCollinswas interrogatedtwice by police and that there are factors that question the voluntary nature of Collins’ statements.
“Detective (Zachary) Williams admitted that he made no speci fic inquiry or attempts to ascertain defendant’s ability to read and understand English, at what grade level defendant read; whether or not defendant had any cognitive or learning disabilities; whether defendant had any emotional or mental disabilities; orwhether or not hewas reliant on his mother oranother familymembertoassist in his comprehension ofwhat he was doing,” the brief says.
The defense pointed to the second interview and questioned whether the statements made should be allowed in court.
“Disturbingly, during the February 26th interrogation, DetectiveWilliams discussed the shooting death of defendant’s brother, which occurred several years ago. He asked defendant numerous questions about defendant’s deceased brother, such as his favorite sports teams, TV shows, andwhatmusic he enjoyed listening to. He also asked defendant if
his mother was still having difficulty coming to terms with his brother’s death. He also asked defendant to recountwhat happened the day ofhis brother’smurder,” the brief says.
Thedefense said the detective “admitted that, though the murder of Defendant’s brotherwas irrelevant to the case at hand, the personal and visceral questioning was designed tomake Defendant emotional, and that this is one of the interrogation techniques hewas trained to use to obtain a confession.”
Prosecutorsfiled their brief that asked a judge to allow the statements.
“Defense will argue that bringing up the defendant’s brother’s deathwas preying on his emotions and that any statements he made were induced by that tactic,” the court filing says. “The defendant is an adult male (18 years old). There is absolutely no evidence that the defendant’swillwasoverborne,” the document says.
“The length of the interviewwas reasonable (54 minutes with a break). The interview was not as intense as the defense would suggest.
There is no evidence of any physical deprivation or mistreatment at all. There is no evidence of duress or coercion. Therewere no threats or promises made to the defendant.”
A ruling on the motion to suppress is expected at a later date.