United States v. West, No. 14-2514 (7th Cir. 2015)
Annotate this CaseDuring a consensual search for a stolen television, an old gun that had belonged to West's father was found in the attic. No fingerprints were recovered from the gun and there was conflicting evidence concerning whether West lived in the house. West's attorney unsuccessfully moved to suppress West's statement that he owned the gun, citing West's mental illness, low intelligence, and suggestibility. The judge refused to admit expert testimony to challenge the reliability of his statement. The Seventh Circuit reversed his conviction as a felon In possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. 922(g), stating that the reliability of the confession was a question for the jury and that the expert's testimony was relevant and admissible.
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