On Feb. 28, Yolo County Superior Court Judge David Reed deemed Daniel Marsh’s confessions admissible to be used during his April 14 trial.
Marsh, 16, stabbed Oliver “Chip” Northup, 87, and his wife Claudia Maupin, 76, in their condominium on Cowell Boulevard on April 14, 2013.
On June 17, 2013, Marsh spoke with officers after being arrested, waiving his right to remain silent.
Marsh’s defendants made various claims of why Marsh’s June 17 confession should be kept out of court, which included the interview tactics that were used by officers, Marsh’s history of mental health problems, his age and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
On the day of Marsh’s arrest, Officer Eddie Ellsworth of the Davis Police, who had encountered Marsh before, told Marsh that he needed to make plans for a youth diversion program related to Marsh’s May arrest for possessing a knife on the campus of Davis High.
Ellsworth testified that Marsh willingly went to the police station with him, even though he was told that he didn’t have to, and after reading Marsh his Miranda rights.
“The motion was to deem Marsh’s confession inadmissible due to a Miranda violation,” said Jonathan Raven, the Chief Deputy District Attorney of Yolo County. “The court ruled no Miranda right violation of the statement to police so it is admissible.”
While Friday’s testimony didn’t state the specifics of Marsh’s confession, it has been reported that Marsh admitted to choosing his victims, Northrup and Maupin, after noticing that their condominium windows were open, just two doors down from his father’s home.
Marsh has been recorded saying that the homicides gave him a “high” for a few days afterwards, and that he’s been ignoring the urge to kill since age 10. Marsh has a history of anxiety and depression, and in December 2012 was transported to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
After privately watching the interview, Judge Reed addressed the arguments and stated that Marsh knowingly and intelligently waived his rights, and said that the confession was admissible for use in court.
Reed also granted a defense motion to postpone Marsh’s trial until April 14. Marsh is being tried as an adult and is currently in custody at Yolo County Juvenile Hall.
— Taylor Cunningham
