Don’t Talk to the Cops: How an Illegal Confession Was Thrown Out in a Florida Murder Case

A serious talk with a doctor can change your outlook on life. A serious talk with the police can end it. Detectives are professional interrogators. They are masters at getting people to say things that are not true, leading to false confessions that have sent innocent people to prison for decades.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to protect yourself. It’s the most important piece of legal advice you will ever receive, and its just 2 words.

Shut up.

Don’t say anything to the police. The multi-part saga of Rodney Squire is a tragic and perfect example of why.

Have the Police Asked You to “Tell Your Side of the Story” in Orlando? Do not speak. Anything you say can and will be twisted against you. Politely state that you are remaining silent and that you want a lawyer. Then call my office immediately. Call John Guidry: (47) 423-1117

Act I: The Crime and the Confession

The case of Squire v. State, 193 So. 3d 105 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016), began with a bizarre and tragic crime. A young woman was passing out CDs in a parking lot when a man, later identified as Rodney Squire (“J.R.”), attempted to rob her and then shot her in the head. He also shot a second person.

When police interrogated Squire, he denied everything. Then the detective’s illegal double-speak began:

[SCENE 1: Police Dept, interview room]

Detective: “Listen, what’s a better charge here, a robbery attempt, where nothing was even taken, or two attempted murders. I want you to think about that for a minute . . . ’cause if you tell me the truth, that that was accidental, which is what I think it was, that’s a big difference than you trying to hit her.” Detective: “Now, you got to think about an attempted robbery or two attempted murders. Which one do you want to face?”

Squire continued to deny it. After being allowed to make a phone call to his grandmother from a recorded line (which police always listen to), he was taken to jail.

[SCENE 2: On the way to jail…]

Squire: You sure this would be a lesser charge if I talk? Detective: Rodney, you ready to tell the truth?

Squire then confessed.

Act II: The Conviction and the Reversal

Based on his confession, Squire was convicted of attempted felony murder and sentenced to a 25-year minimum mandatory prison sentence.

On appeal, the higher court agreed that his confession was illegally obtained. The detective’s comments—offering a “lesser charge” of robbery versus attempted murder—were an “impermissible implied promise of leniency.” A confession that is induced by a promise from the police is legally involuntary and coercive.

The court ruled that the confession was “the product of coercive police conduct and must be suppressed.” Squire’s conviction and 25-year prison sentence were overturned.

Act III: The Second Chance and the Final Outcome

After winning his appeal, the case was sent back to the trial court. This time, without the illegal confession, the State’s case was much weaker. Squire received an incredible new sentence: 6 years of supervised probation.

But that’s not the end of the story. While on probation, Squire was arrested for a new Aggravated Battery. In January of 2017, the judge found him in violation of his probation and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. He squandered his second chance and ended up with a prison sentence almost as long as the one that was thrown out.

John’s Takeaways

• The single most important piece of advice when police want to question you is to remain silent and ask for a lawyer.
• Police are legally NOT allowed to make promises of leniency in exchange for a confession. Offering a “lesser charge” to get you to talk is a coercive and illegal tactic.
• A confession obtained through an improper promise is involuntary and can be suppressed (thrown out of court) by your defense attorney filing a motion.
• As the Squire case shows, even a confession in an attempted murder case can be thrown out if the police break the rules.
• A Violation of Probation (VOP) is incredibly dangerous. A judge can sentence you to the original statutory maximum for your crime, and there are very few defenses.

I have been filing these exact types of motions and defending clients in VOP hearings in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia County since 1993. If you or a loved one is being questioned by police, say nothing, and call me.

About John Guidry

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.