Michigan v. Mosley

Facts

Detroit police arrested Mosley on April 8, 1971, in connection with robberies at the Blue Goose Bar and the White Tower Restaurant. Detective Cowie took him to police headquarters, gave him the Miranda warnings, and had him read and sign a rights form. When Cowie began questioning him about the White Tower robbery, Mosley said he did not want to answer any questions about the robberies. Cowie stopped at once and did not try to change his mind. Mosley never asked for a lawyer. He was then taken to a cell block. After an interval of more than two hours, Detective Hill of the Homicide Bureau brought him to a different office to question him about the fatal shooting of Leroy Williams, who had been killed on January 9, 1971, in a holdup attempt outside the 101 Ranch Bar. Mosley had not been arrested or questioned about that crime. Hill gave him full Miranda warnings again, and Mosley read and signed the form. Mosley first denied involvement. Hill then told him another man had confessed and had named him as the shooter. Mosley made a statement implicating himself. This questioning lasted about 15 minutes. Mosley did not ask for a lawyer or say he did not want to discuss the homicide.

Issues

1. Does Miranda create a per se ban on any further questioning by any officer, on any subject, once a person in custody has said he does not want to answer questions?
2. Did Detective Hill's questioning of Mosley about the Williams homicide, after Mosley had cut off questioning about the robberies, violate Miranda and require suppression of his statement?

Holding

Mosley's right to cut off questioning was scrupulously honored. Police stopped at once, resumed only after a significant time and with fresh warnings, and questioned him about a different crime. Admitting his statement did not violate Miranda.