Daniel Marsh, 16, confessed during a videotaped interview to brutally stabbing to death Davis attorney Oliver “Chip” Northup, 87, and his wife Claudia Maupin, 76, back on June 17, 2013—approximately two months after the alleged murders.
Public Defenders Ron Johnson and Andrea Pelochino, Marsh’s attorneys, had urged Yolo Superior Court Judge David Reed at an evidentiary hearing on February 28 to suppress the confession. After privately viewing the five-hour tape, Judge Reed stated, prior to giving his ruling, “The court concludes that the defendant [Marsh] did not invoke his right to remain silent.”
Marsh’s confession allegedly emerged during an interview conducted by Davis police Detective Ariel Pineda and FBI Special Agent Chris Campion. At the beginning, the law enforcement officers questioned Marsh about his family and other personal history. Then they confronted Marsh about the murders.
Campion testified before Judge Reed made his ruling that Marsh “…was going with the flow of the conversation…[with] his mental acumen, his vocabulary, the way he presented himself…I would characterize him as a very intelligent young man.”
Marsh’s attorneys had taken issue with Campion’s interview tactics; The FBI agent told the youth that a confession would lead to a more lenient juvenile court prosecution or psychiatric hospitalization. Deputy District Attorney Michael Cabral informed Judge Reed that, during his confession, Marsh clearly understood his rights.
On March 27, Judge Reed granted Marsh’s attorneys’ request for a continuance until June 16 due to a vast amount of evidence they need to review.
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