State v. Scott M. Hambly, 2008 WI 10, affirming 2006 WI App 256
For Hambly: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate
Issue/Holding:
¶93 The defendant summarizes his argument that he did not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waive his right to counsel, stating that at the time of his arrest, he was hungry, alone in the back seat of a squad car, handcuffed, and young and limited in intelligence and sophistication.
¶94 This argument is not compelling on the facts of the present case. The defendant was an adult at the time of his arrest. While he casts himself as limited in intelligence and sophistication (and the circuit court acknowledged the defendant’s apparent limited intelligence and understanding), the defendant does not claim to be incompetent to exercise or waive his legal rights. Although Detectives Rindt and Clausing did arrest the defendant before he had a chance to eat his breakfast, the defendant does not seem to claim that hunger had somehow deprived him of the ability to make decisions knowingly and intelligently. The defendant was undoubtedly uncomfortable and scared. Most people arrested on suspicion of delivering cocaine would probably be uncomfortable and scared.
