OTTAWA, OH (Toledo News Now) - A judge has ruled some statements made by a teen accused of killing two Putnam County brothers will not be heard at trial.
Judge Randall Basinger granted a motion by the defense to suppress statements made by then 17-year-old Michael Fay on May, 10, 2013. Fay is accused of killing brothers Blake and Blaine Romes, then driving to Columbus in their mother's car on the morning of May 9. Fay and his mother were living with the Romes brothers and their mother at the time of the killings.
According to court documents, Fay was read his Miranda rights after being found in Columbus on May 9 and signed a waiver of those rights. After being questioned by police in Columbus that day, Fay was transported back to Putnam County and interviewed again on May 10.
On Friday, Judge Basinger overruled a motion to suppress statements made by Fay on May 9 but granted a motion to suppress statements made on May 10. Neither police nor prosecutors have released what Fay said to police during the interviews.
A 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision allows statements made by a person in police custody to be admitted in court only if the defendant was advised of his or her right to an attorney and right against self incrimination before the statements were made. The case introduced the practice of police warning interrogation subjects of their "right to remain silent" and "right to an attorney," known as Miranda rights, before questioning.
Fay has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the case. The trial is set to begin November 4.
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