Harden v. Indiana

Mark Lewis Harden (defendant) was 17 years old when he robbed and raped a woman and beat her to death. The police took Harden into custody for questioning and placed him in an interrogation room at around 2:00 p.m. According to Harden, he was cold, hungry, and distraught while he waited for the interrogation. Harden asked to speak to his father. and the police allowed the father and Harden to have a 20-minute conversation in private at around 6:00 p.m. Harden’s father told him that the matter would be easier for Harden if he talked to the police. Because of his distress, Harden was unable to say anything to his father. The police advised Harden and his father of Harden’s rights, and the father and Harden waived Harden’s rights in writing. Harden then gave a videotaped confession to robbing and raping the victim and beating her to death. The state (plaintiff) charged Harden with murder, robbery, rape, and confinement. Harden moved to suppress his confession, and the trial court denied the motion. At trial, Harden testified to every detail that he gave in his videotaped confession. Harden was convicted of all the charges and sentenced to 120 consecutive years of prison and an additional 10 years to be served concurrently. Harden appealed, arguing that the trial court should have granted his motion to suppress because his consultation with his father was not a meaningful one, as required by state law.