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2d 325
Keith Lamont Hart was tried before a jury and convicted of the armed robbery
of the United Virginia Bank in Arlington, Virginia. He appeals on the ground
that his confession should have been suppressed because it was involuntary and
because he had not waived his right to counsel. We affirm.
Hart was arrested at his home on February 6, 1979 at 6:00 a. m. He was given
his Miranda rights and then taken to the Washington, D. C. Field Office of the
F.B.I. After being informed of his rights, he declined to make a statement,
asserting that he wished to see his family attorney. Hart was then taken to the
Alexandria Field Office for questioning by the agent who had been the
principal case investigator. Hart declined to make a statement, again stating he
wished to see his family attorney. Hart was taken to the Fairfax Detention
Center where he was permitted to see his parents. That afternoon he telephoned
the Washington Field Office stating that he wished to speak with the arresting
agent. Hart was subsequently visited by two agents from the Alexandria Field
Office. He was again advised of his rights and signed a waiver form after which
he gave an inculpatory statement.
3
Hart also argues that his confession was inadmissible because he had not
waived his right to counsel. The record shows that Hart expressed his desire for
an attorney on two occasions; once at the Washington Field Office and again at
the Alexandria Field Office. Each time he stated he wished to see an attorney,
the agent ceased interrogation. Hart, on his own, requested to see an agent in
order to make a statement. The thrust of Hart's argument is that because he
twice asserted his right to speak to an attorney, he could not subsequently waive
that right. We reject this contention. In United States v. Grant, 549 F.2d 942
(4th Cir. 1977), vacated on other grounds sub nom. Whitehead v. United States,
435 U.S. 912, 98 S.Ct. 1463, 55 L.Ed.2d 502 (1978), this Court held that the
right to counsel once asserted may be subsequently waived. In that case, the
defendant asserted his right to an attorney and interrogation concerning the
AFFIRMED.