Colorado V. Connelly - Prior History

Prior History

Francis Connelly approached a police officer and expressed interest in talking about a murder that he committed. After being read his rights, Mr. Connelly continued to want to confess to the murder, so a detective was called. The detective repeated Mr. Connelly's rights again, but Mr. Connelly remained willing to discuss the murder. Mr. Connelly then waived his right to counsel, and described the details of the murder.

Soon afterwards, the court determined that Mr. Connelly was not of sound enough mind to stand trial, and was given six months of therapy. After the six months was completed, Mr. Connelly stood trial. During the trial, the psychiatrist that evaluated Mr. Connelly testified that he believed that God told him to confess to the murder, or commit suicide. The lower court ruled that Mr. Connelly's waiver of his Miranda rights was made when he was incompetent due to his mental illness, so the confession of Mr. Connelly was not permitted in court.

The case then went to the Colorado Supreme Court, where the local court's decision was upheld. The evidence of Mr. Connelly's confession was suppressed under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.