252 Conn. 714 | Conn. | 2000
Opinion
After a joint jury trial, the defendant Corey Turner was convicted of murder in violation of General Statutes § 53a-54a,
On appeal, both defendants claim that the trial court improperly precluded them from presenting surrebuttal evidence. In addition, they claim that the prosecutor committed misconduct by vouching for the credibility of certain state’s witnesses during closing argument. Corey Turner also claims that the trial court: (1) committed several errors concerning his alibi witness; (2) improperly denied his motion for severance of the trials; and (3) violated his statutory and constitutional rights to a speedy trial. Charles Turner also claims that the many alleged instances of error with respect to Corey Turner’s alibi witness harmed his own defense, and that the trial court improperly denied his motion for a judgment of acquittal based on insufficient evidence. We reject all of the defendants’ claims and, accordingly, affirm the judgments.
The jury reasonably could have found the following facts. On the evening of August 11, 1995, Corey Turner and Richard Woods, the victim, had an argument in front of Betty Lewis’ house at 141 Homestead Avenue in Llartford. At approximately 11 p.m. that night, Darius
I
Both defendants claim that the trial court improperly precluded them from presenting surrebuttal evidence. Each argues that his rights to a fair trial, to present a defense, and to due process of law were violated, under the federal and state constitutions,
The following additional facts are relevant to these claims. At trial, Corey Turner testified in his own defense, claiming that he was not at the scene of the crime at the time of the murder. Corey Turner stated that he was with Fonda Williams, the mother of his son, at that time.
After Corey Turner rested, the state offered, as rebuttal evidence, a portion of the tape recording of the telephone conversations between Corey Turner and
Charles Turner also testified in his own defense at trial. He testified that he was present at the scene of the crime, but that he did not participate in Woods’ murder. Charles Turner testified that, after the shooting, he did not pick up anyone a few blocks from the crime scene, but drove directly to Josephine Mitchell’s house. On cross-examination, the state asked Charles Turner whether he had instructed his mother to tell Mitchell what to say during her testimony, and Charles Turner testified that he had not done so. During questioning, the state revealed that it was referring to a tape-recorded
On rebuttal, the state offered portions of audiotapes of Charles Turner’s telephone conversations from jail
Rebuttal evidence is that which is offered “to meet new matters raised in [a defendant’s case], to contradict prior testimony and to impeach or rehabilitate witnesses . . . .” C. Tait & J. LaPlante, Connecticut Evidence (2d Ed. 1988) § 3.3.1, p. 40. Surrebuttal evidence is that which is offered to meet evidence raised in rebuttal. “[0]nly evidence to explain away new facts brought forward by the proponent in rebuttal ... is properly
In the present case, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Corey Turner’s offer of his tape-recorded conversation with Williams because the tape would not have explained away the state’s rebuttal evidence. In the trial court, Corey Turner did not point to anything in the offered tape that would have been helpful to his case with regard to the state’s rebuttal evidence. Rather, he argued that the offered tape would substantiate his testimony on cross-examination concerning his conversation with Williams. Bolstering of defense evidence is not permitted on surrebuttal. On appeal, as well, Corey Turner does not point to anything in the Williams tape that would have refuted the implication in the rebuttal evidence that he had attempted through Smith to influence the testimony of Baisden. Moreover, defense counsel had ample opportunity to refute that implication on redirect examination and during the presentation of his case. See State v. Anderson, 28 Conn. App. 833, 848-49, 614 A.2d 438 (1992), rev’d on other grounds, 227 Conn. 518, 631 A.2d 1149 (1993) (trial court did not abuse discretion by refusing to admit surrebuttal evidence because defendant had opportunity to rehabilitate his credibility on redirect). We conclude that there were no compelling reasons for the trial court to admit Corey Turner’s surre-buttal evidence.
II
Each defendant also claims that the trial court improperly permitted the state to vouch for the credibility of Kendrick Hampton, a state’s witness, during closing argument.
Neither defendant objected to the state’s closing argument, and we conclude that the defendants cannot pre
Ill
In addition to the joint claims, Corey Turner makes several claims regarding his alibi. He argues that, as a sanction for the concededly late disclosure of his alibi, the trial court improperly required him to testify prior to his alibi witness. Corey Turner also claims that the state’s cross-examination regarding that late disclosure, and the state’s reference to the undisclosed alibi during its closing argument, violated his attorney-client privi
A
Corey Turner claims that the trial court improperly forced him to testify prior to Williams as a sanction for his untimely disclosure of the alibi defense. He argues that requiring him to do so violated his constitutional right against self-incrimination, his right to counsel, his right to present a defense, his right to a fair trial, and his right to due process of law. See footnote 4 of this opinion. We disagree.
The following additional facts are relevant to this claim. On April 16, 1996, the state filed a demand for notice of alibi pursuant to what is now Practice Book § 40-21, then Practice Book § 763.
While seeking to avoid the exclusion of Williams’ testimony, Corey Turner’s counsel agreed with, and voiced approval of the trial court’s proposed ruling ordering the witnesses to testify in a certain order. We conclude that this was a tactic designed to overcome the late disclosure of the Williams testimony. We will not find that a trial court acted improperly when its
Moreover, in State v. Boucino, 199 Conn. 207, 213-14, 506 A.2d 125 (1986), we concluded that “[t]he notice of alibi rules place reasonable conditions on the presentation of alibi evidence and do not impermissibly restrict a criminal defendant’s right to compel attendance of witnesses. . . . [HJowever . . . exclusion of alibi witnesses may not be justified in all cases where the defendant has failed to comply with the discoveiy rules. The trial court must weigh the need for exclusion against the defendant’s right to present a defense. . . . The decision is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will turn on the facts of the particular case. Factors which the trial court must consider include: whether the disclosure violation was technical or substantial, the timing of the ultimate disclosure, the reason, if any, for the violation, the degree of prejudice to the parties respectively offering and opposing the evidence, whether any resulting prejudice might be cured by a postponement and, if so, the overall desirability of a continuance.” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Id., 213-14.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion. Corey Turner’s delay in disclosure was substantial, and although he claimed that he did not know of the requirement for disclosure, he was at all times represented by counsel, who had knowledge of the state’s request for disclosure. See Allen v. Nissley, 184 Conn. 539, 543, 440 A.2d 231 (1981) (knowledge of attorney imputed to client). In addition, the state was disadvantaged by the late disclosure because it had completed presenting its case-in-chief and required time to interview Williams and investigate the alibi. The court also was properly
We also recognize that under Practice Book § 40-5, then Practice Book § 735A
Corey Turner argues that he should prevail, under Brooks v. Tennessee, 406 U.S. 605, 610-11, 92 S. Ct. 1891, 32 L. Ed. 2d 358 (1972), because forcing a defendant to testify before other witnesses “casts a heavy burden on a defendant’s otherwise unconditional right not to take the stand.” He also maintains that, had Williams testified before him, he would have been able to assess her testimony and might have decided not to testify himself. This case is distinguishable from Brooks, however.
In Brooks, the United States Supreme Court held that a Tennessee statute requiring that a defendant testify prior to any other testimony offered for the defense violated a defendant’s constitutional right to remain
B
Corey Turner next claims that the state’s cross-examination of him regarding the late disclosure of his alibi violated his attorney-client privilege. He also claims that the cross-examination and the state’s closing argument violated his right against self-incrimination under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966). Lastly, Corey Turner argues that the state failed to establish the proper foundation for cross-examining him regarding the late disclosure. We reject each of these claims.
1
Corey Turner claims that the state’s questioning regarding his alibi violated his attorney-client privilege.
“The attorney-client privilege protects communications between client and attorney when made in confidence for the purpose of seeking or giving legal advice.
We conclude that Corey Turner’s attorney-client privilege was not violated in this case, as the trial court limited the scope of the questioning and precluded any inquiry into the substance of Corey Turner’s conversations with his attorney. The trial court permitted only questions on the timing of Corey Turner’s notice of alibi, which was a matter of fact and not a communication protected by the attorney-client privilege. To the extent that the questions dealt with Corey Turner’s discosure to his attorney, Corey Turner had volunteered that his attorney knew of the alibi, opening the door to the questions concerned with the timing of that disclosure. “[I]t has been widely held that voluntary disclosure of the content of a privileged attorney communication constitutes waiver of the privilege . . . .” Well v. Investment/Indicators, Research & Management, 647 F.2d 18, 24 (9th Cir. 1981).
2
Corey Turner also claims that the state’s cross-examination improperly exposed the jury to the fact that he remained silent after receiving Miranda warnings, in violation of Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 619, 96 S. Ct. 2240, 49 L. Ed. 2d 91 (1976). He further claims that
The following additional facts are relevant to these claims. During cross-examination, the state asked Corey Turner the first time that he had made his alibi public. He answered that the first time he had made it public to “you” was that day or Monday of that week. Thereafter, he was asked whether he had told the police about his alibi. Corey Turner’s counsel did not object to this question, and Corey Turner replied that he never had spoken to the police.
Corey Turner argues that the state may not use a defendant’s silence subsequent to receiving Miranda warnings for impeachment purposes. See id. Because Corey Turner did not object to this question at trial, we review his claim under State v. Golding, supra, 213 Conn. 233. We conclude that the state’s cross-examination in this case did not clearly violate Corey Turner’s right to due process or right against self-incrimination under Doyle v. Ohio, supra, 426 U.S. 619. Silence as a result of a decision to exercise one’s fifth amendment right against self-incrimination during custodial interrogation under Miranda v. Arizona, supra, 384 U.S. 439, is distinct from a failure to comply with the alibi disclosure requirements of Practice Book § 40-21, then Practice Book § 763.
In Williams v. Florida, 399 U.S. 78, 90 S. Ct. 1893, 26 L. Ed. 2d 446 (1970), the United States Supreme Court held that a notice of alibi requirement does not violate the privilege against self-incrimination. The court noted in Williams, “[n]othing in such a [dislosure] rule requires the defendant to rely on an alibi .... [This matter is] left to his unfettered choice.” Id., 84. There is therefore no compulsion such as may exist during police interrogation of a defendant who is in custody. The court also noted that the existence of an alibi might well not be a testimonial statement relating to the historical facts of the crime. Id., 86 n.17. It is, rather, a statement relating solely to what a defendant proposes to do at trial. Id.
We similarly conclude that the state’s closing argument did not clearly violate Corey Turner’s right to due process or right against self-incrimination under Doyle v. Ohio, supra, 426 U.S. 619. As with the state’s questions on cross-examination, the closing argument addressed Corey Turner’s failure to disclose his alibi, and was not a comment on any postMiranda custodial silence. The state merely suggested that, if the alibi were true, Corey Turner would have tried to exculpate himself of the crime prior to trial. Thus, we conclude that the state’s comments during closing argument were not a violation of Doyle.
3
Corey Turner also claims that the state failed to establish the proper foundation for cross-examining him regarding the late disclosure of his alibi. Relying on State v. Bryant, 202 Conn. 676, 703-704, 523 A.2d 451 (1987), he argues that the state was required to show that he was aware of his obligation to disclose his alibi within a prescribed period of time, and that his failure to
In State v. Bryant, supra, 202 Conn. 705, we stated that “[the state] may lay a proper foundation for this type of cross-examination [of an alibi witness] by first demonstrating that the witness was aware of the nature of the charges pending against the defendant, had reason to recognize that he possessed exculpatory information, had a reasonable motive for acting to exonerate the defendant and, finally, was familiar with the means to make such information available to law enforcement authorities. ... A proper foundation may better aid the trier of fact in determining whether the testimony of such a defense witness is an accurate reflection of the truth or is, instead, a recent fabrication.” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.)
We conclude that the state established a proper foundation to cross-examine Corey Turner as to his late disclosure of his alibi. Corey Turner testified that: he was awar e of the alibi from the beginning of the case; he knew that it was exculpatory; and he was very interested in the outcome of the case. Although Corey Turner denied knowledge of the disclosure requirements, he was at all times after his arrest represented by counsel. Corey Turner volunteered on the stand that he had told his attorney about the existence of the alibi on Friday, July 25, 1997, after the state had presented its casein-chief. The jury could reasonably have inferred that Corey Turner knew that he should have told his attorney about the existence of an alibi and would have done so very early on to exonerate himself. We conclude that the state established the proper foundation for this line of questioning.
Corey Turner next claims that the trial court improperly denied his motion for severance. Specifically, he argues that the joinder of his trial with that of Charles Turner was prejudicial because it allowed the jury to consider, in reaching its verdict against him, evidence admitted against Charles Turner that would not have been admissible against him alone.
The following additional procedural history is relevant to this claim. On November 18, 1996, the state moved to consolidate the trials of Corey Turner and Charles Turner. Corey Turner then moved to sever his case from that of Charles Turner. He argued that having a joint trial with Charles Turner, who was positively identified as having been at the scene of the crime, would substantially prejudice him because it was likely that the jury would convict him because of a tendency to link the brothers together. Corey Turner also argued that he would be prejudiced if the jury learned that Charles Turner’s street name was “Homicide.” The trial court granted the state’s motion to consolidate on November 27,1996. The trial court reasoned that Corey Turner and Charles Turner should be tried together because the same evidence would be presented in both cases and the parties had not demonstrated substantial prejudice from consolidating the trials. Prior to trial, Corey Turner renewed his motion to sever, and the trial court again denied the motion. Prior to sentencing, Corey Turner again renewed his motion to sever, and the trial court denied it for the third time.
The rules that govern motions for severance are well established. “[Wjhether to consolidate or sever the trials of defendants involved in the same criminal incident lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. . . . Ordinarily justice is better subserved where parties are tried together. . . . Joint trials of persons jointly
“The test for the trial court is whether substantial injustice is likely to result unless a separate trial be accorded. State v. White, supra, 229 Conn. 158. [W]e will reverse a trial court’s ruling on joinder only where the trial court commits an abuse of discretion that results in manifest prejudice to one or more of the defendants. State v. Vinal, supra, 198 Conn. 649. The discretion of the court is necessarily exercised before the trial begins and with reference to the situation as it then appears to the court. State v. Smith, supra, 201 Conn. 669; accord State v. McCarthy, 130 Conn. 101, 103, 31 A.2d 921 (1943). Therefore, we must review the trial court’s decisions to grant the state’s motion for joinder and to deny the defendants’ motions for severance based upon the evidence before the court at the time of the motions.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Booth, 250 Conn. 611, 620-21, 737 A.2d 404 (1999).
Applying this standard to the facts of this case, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Corey Turner’s motions for severance. The
“A joint trial expedites the administration of justice, reduces the congestion of trial dockets, conserves judicial time, lessens the burden upon citizens who must sacrifice both time and money to serve upon juries, and avoids the necessity of recalling witnesses who would otherwise be called to testify only once. . . . [Wjhere proof of the charges against the defendants is dependent upon the same evidence and alleged acts . . . severance should not be granted except for the most cogent reasons.” (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Id., 622. The evidence that Charles Turner was at the scene of the crime, that his nickname was “Homicide,” and that he might have tried to influence witnesses prior to trial are not cogent reasons for severing his trial from that of Corey Turner.
Moreover, any possible risk of prejudice was mitigated by the trial court’s instructions to the jury in this regard. The trial court instructed the jury to “keep in mind that we have been trying two separate cases. . . . [Y]our findings in one case do not in themselves establish a basis for similar findings in the other case. For all practical purposes, the defendants are to be considered to be on trial separately; that is to say, one may be found guilty and the other not guilty, or both may be found guilty, or both may be found not guilty according to your findings upon the evidence and the law as stated by the court. . . . Each defendant is to be considered as if he were on trial alone for the offense
V
Corey Turner next claims that the trial court violated his statutory and constitutional rights to a speedy trial when his trial was delayed because Charles Turner’s attorney was unavailable to begin trial. We are not persuaded.
The following additional facts are relevant to this claim. Corey Turner was arrested and incarcerated on March 14, 1996. On November 13, 1996, Corey Turner filed a motion for a speedy trial. The trial court denied Corey Turner’s motion, reasoning that he was not eligible to file for a speedy trial until January 8, 1997. The state then filed a motion to consolidate the trials of Corey Turner and Charles Turner, which the court granted. On January 29,1997, Corey Turner again filed a motion for a speedy trial. At that time, Charles Turner’s attorney was unavailable for trial for the next five months, until June, 1997. The trial court denied Corey Turner’s motion for a speedy trial, reasoning that, under Practice Book § 43-40 (4), then Practice Book § 956C,
A
On appeal, Corey Turner argues that the fifteen month delay from his arrest until trial began violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial. See footnote 4 of this opinion. We disagree.
The sixth amendment guarantee of a speedy trial is a fundamental right made applicable to the states through the fourteenth amendment to the United States constitution. Klopfer v. North Carolina, 386 U.S. 213, 223, 87 S. Ct. 988, 18 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1967). In Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101 (1972), the United States Supreme Court articulated a balancing test for determining when a defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial has been violated. The four factors to be considered in such a determination are: “Length of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant.” Id., 530. Balancing these factors, we conclude that, while the delay in this case was substantial, the reason behind it was neutral and Corey Turner has failed to demonstrate that he suffered any prejudice from it. We therefore conclude that Corey Turner was not deprived of his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Corey Turner’s trial began fifteen months after he was arrested and incarcerated. This was a substantial delay. See State v. Ortiz, 252 Conn. 533, 568, 747 A.2d 487 (2000) (fourteen months substantial); State v. Morrill, 197 Conn. 507, 523, 498 A.2d 76 (1985) (nineteen months); State v. Johnson, 190 Conn. 541, 544-45, 461 A.2d 981 (1983) (sixteen months); State v. McCarthy, 179 Conn. 1, 6-7, 425 A.2d 924 (1979) (nineteen months).
Corey Turner also argues that the trial court’s determination that the unavailability of Charles Turner’s attorney was a reasonable period of excludable time under Practice Book § 43-30 (4), then Practice Book § 956C (d), violated his statutory right to a speedy trial. We disagree.
General Statutes § 54-82m
We first conclude as a matter of law that the trial court properly determined that the time Charles Turner’s attorney was unavailable was excludable time for computing the commencement of Corey Turner’s trial. At the time of Corey Turner’s motion for a speedy trial,the defendants’ trials had been joined and no motion
We also conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the five months constituted a “reasonable period of delay” under Practice Book § 43-40 (4). See State v. Flowers, supra, 198 Conn. 545. In State v. Brown, 242 Conn. 389, 402, 699 A.2d 943 (1997), we held that a five week delay of trial after the defendant’s motion for a speedy trial was reasonable, even though there was no excludable time under the Practice Book provisions, because the defendant’s own attorney was unavailable for trial until that time. The court reasoned that the Practice Book provisions “cannot be read to preclude the trial court’s inherent power to make a reasonable accommodation in an individual case between the right to a speedy trial and the unavailability of the defendant’s attorney.” Id., 407. Here, unlike in Brown, the delay that resulted from the unavailability of Charles Turner’s attorney qualified as excludable time under Practice Book § 43-40 (4). Although five months was a longer delay than the one at issue in Brown, it was not an unreasonable amount of time such that the trial court abused its discretion in permitting it. Whether a delay is reasonable depends upon the facts of each case, and the trial court here properly concluded that the five month delay was not so lengthy that it warranted severing the trials. Thus, we reject Corey Turner’s claim that his statutory right to a speedy trial was violated.
Charles Turner also claims that the many instances of error with respect to Corey Turner’s alibi witness harmed his own defense, in violation of his rights against self-incrimination, to present a defense, to a fair and impartial trial, and to due process of law. See footnote 4 of this opinion. Specifically, Charles Turner argues that, because their defenses were intertwined, impeaching Corey Turner’s alibi necessarily impeached Charles Turner’s defense. Because we have rejected Corey Turner’s claims of error with respect to his alibi; see part III of this opinion; we similarly reject Charles Turner’s claim that his defense was prejudiced.
VII
Challes Turner claims that the trial court improperly denied his motions for judgment of acquittal because the state had failed to produce sufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that he had the requisite intent to kill the victim, as required for a conviction of accessory to murder, and that he had the intent to inflict serious physical injury, as required for a conviction of accessory to first degree assault. We disagree.
At the close of the state’s case, Charles Turner moved for judgment of acquittal based on insufficient evidence. The trial court denied the motion. After his conviction, and prior to the imposition of a sentence, Charles Turner renewed his motion for judgment of acquittal, and the trial court denied that motion.
“In reviewing a sufficiency [of the evidence] claim, we apply a two part test. First, we construe the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict. Second, we determine whether upon the facts so construed and the inferences reasonably drawn therefrom the jury reasonably could have concluded that the
The statutory provision governing accessory liability, General Statutes § 53a-8, provides in relevant part that “ ‘[a] person, acting with the mental state required for the commission of an offense, who . . . intentionally aids another person to engage in conduct which constitutes an offense shall be criminally liable for such conduct . . . as if he were the principal offender.’ We have previously stated that a conviction under § 53a-8 requires [the state to prove the defendant’s] dual intent . . . [first] ‘that the accessory have the intent to aid the principal and [second] that in so aiding he intend to commit the offense with which he is charged.’ ” State v. Foster, 202 Conn. 520, 525-26, 522 A.2d 277 (1987). In order to convict Charles Turner of accessory to murder and accessory to assault in the first degree, the jury had to conclude that Charles Turner had the intent to aid Corey Turner in those crimes and the intent to commit the crimes themselves.
“Intent is generally proven by circumstantial evidence because direct evidence of the accused’s state of mind is rarely available. State v. Greenfield, supra, [228 Conn.] 77. Therefore, intent is often inferred from conduct; id., 76; and from the cumulative effect of the circumstantial evidence and the rational inferences drawn therefrom. State v. Raguseo, [225 Conn. 114, 119, 622 A.2d 519 (1993)]. This does not require that each subordinate conclusion established by or inferred from evidence, or even from other inferences, be proved beyond a reasonable doubt . . . because this court has held that a jury’s factual inferences that support a guilty verdict need only be reasonable. [State v. Crafts, 226 Conn. 237, 244, 627 A.2d 877 (1993)]. Nevertheless,
The jury reasonably could have concluded that Charles Turner had both the intent to kill and the intent to cause serious physical injury to the victim. At 8:30 p.m. on the night of the shooting, both Charles Turner and Corey Turner were seen driving an Oldsmobile along Homestead Avenue. Soon thereafter, Charles Turner was observed driving alone down Homestead Avenue. After parking the car, Charles Turner stood at the comer of Homestead Avenue and Edgewood Street directly across from the victim. Powell testified that it was an unusual place for Charles Turner to be standing. Hampton stated that Charles Turner appeared to be “dancing around.” Corey Turner then approached from behind the buildings and began shooting at the victim. The jury reasonably could have concluded that Charles Turner’s unusual behavior was meant to distract the victim and bystanders while Corey Turner approached from behind to shoot the victim.
Moreover, the jury reasonably could have inferred that Charles Turner gave Corey Turner the weapon that was used in the shooting. Powell testified that the shooter used a black, nine millimeter weapon that appeared to be a Ruger. The weapon used by the shooter
Finally, the jury could have inferred Charles Turner’s intent from his reaction to the shooting. A jury reasonably can infer an intent to kill “from [a] defendant’s failure to attempt to aid [the victim] or to show concern for [his] welfare following the shooting.” State v. Mejia, 233 Conn. 215, 225, 658 A.2d 571 (1995). Charles Turner himself testified that he “knew [the victim] very well,” they were “good friends” since childhood and that there was no “bad blood,” “feuding” or “bad words” between them. Despite his claims that they had a close relationship, Charles Turner drove away immediately after the victim had been fatally shot. Shortly thereafter, Charles Turner was observed picking up Corey Turner nearby. It was reasonable for the jury to infer from Charles Turner’s lack of concern that he intended to cause serious physical injury or kill the victim.
We reject Charles Turner’s contention that the jury’s verdict was based solely on the evidence that he drove the car that picked up Corey Turner. From the cumulative force of all the evidence of Charles Turner’s conduct before, during and after the shooting, the jurors reasonably could have found that he was guilty of both accessory to murder and accessory to first degree assault.
The judgments are affirmed.
In this opinion the other justices concurred.
General Statutes § 53a-54a provides in relevant part: “(a) A person is guilty of murder when, with intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the death of such person or of a third person or causes a suicide by force, duress or deception . . . .”
General Statutes § 53a-59 provides in relevant part: “(a) A person is guilty of assault in the first degree when: (1) With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument; or (2) with intent to disfigure another person seriously and permanently, or to destroy, amputate or disable permanently a member or organ of his body, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person; or (3) under circumstances evincing an extreme indifference to human life he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a risk of death to another person, and thereby causes serious physical injury to another person; or (4) with intent to cause serious physical injury to another person and while aided by two or more other persons actually present, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person; or (5) with intent to cause physical injury to another
General Statutes § 53a-8 provides in relevant part: “(a) A person, acting with the mental state required for commission of an offense, who solicits, requests, commands, importunes or intentionally aids another person to engage in conduct which constitutes an offense shall be criminally liable for such conduct and may be prosecuted and punished as if he were the principal offender. . .
Although the defendants cite both the federal and state constitutional provisions, they do not offer a separate and independent analysis of their right under the state constitution. We, therefore, confine our analysis to the federal constitution. See State v. Pinder, 250 Conn. 385, 389 n.4, 736 A.2d 857 (1999).
All further references to Williams in this opinion are to Fonda Williams.
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: Did you talk to [Williams] before?
“[Corey Turner]: Before when?
“Q. Before she came to be interviewed?
“A. Before she came to be interviewed by you?
“Q. Yep.
“A. Yeah, I spoke to her when she came and visited me Saturday.
“Q. Okay. Did you instruct her not to talk to us unless your mother was present?
“A. I had — I told her to make sure somebody was around because she would get on the stand and you would tell her she said something she didn’t say. That’s what I told her.”
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: And after she talked to us, did you call her to find out what she said to us?
“[Corey Turner]: I called her and asked her what you asked her. Of course I did.
“Q. Because you wanted to make sure your testimony and her testimony were okay with each other, right?
“A. I just wanted to know what you asked her about me.
“Q. Do you recall asking her about guns?
“A. Yes. My attorney told me that [Williams] said that she told you she seen me with a gun before. And I didn’t ask her that. I asked her what you asked her, and she told me that you asked her that.
“Q. And did she tell you that she told us you had guns in the past?
“A. Yes, she did.
“Q. Different kinds of guns?
“A. I don’t know exactly what kind of guns or whatever, but she told me*720 she told you I had guns in the past, yes.
“Q. And do you recall your reaction was, ‘If you had said not to my knowledge, that would have been sweeter?’
“A. Yes, I did tell her that. I told her, ‘Not to my knowledge,’ would have been better. You know, I’m being tried for murder. She’s trying to score brownie points. Those was my words, yes.
“Q. In fact, that was your next words: ‘I’m going to bring it out first now that you’ve told her so the prosecutor can’t score any brownie points.’ Is that right?
“A. I just told the jury and you that.”
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: Sir, did you ever testily — did you ever request anyone other than your attorney or his investigator to go talk to witnesses for you? . . .
“[Corey Tinner]: I asked [Smith] to go and speak to [Baisden] because [Baisden] said that he wasn’t there, but I guess he — you went and got to him and had him come down here and say he was [t]here.
“Q. Sir, isn’t it a fact that you directed [Smith] to go out and find [Baisden] and [Colon]?
“A. [Colon] was incarcerated.
“Q. Find out where [Colon] was incarcerated for you?
“A. I asked him to see which jail he was in. I believe I did.
“Q. Because isn’t it your belief that if one or two of these witnesses come in that Kendrick Hampton said was there and they say they’re not there, that that would affect Mr. Hampton’s credibility to this jury? . . .
“Q. Isn’t that what you thought was necessary for creating reasonable doubt in this jury’s mind, to attack Kendrick Hampton’s credibility?
“A. Kendrick Hampton attacked his own credibility.”
The transcript of the tape-recorded telephone conversation occurring on July 17, 1997, reveals the following discussion:
“[Corey Turner]: That’s going to be a rough one, man. I need somebody lo, yo, tell him like this, son. I’m starting trial Monday, man. Make Home come down — tell Home to go the courthouse Monday, man. Tell Billy when you see him — right—to tell Home bring Home little ass down to court Monday so he can get a day to come in. Because punk ass nigger lie, he said Home was there, he wasn’t there. That’s all I need him to come tell him, he wasn’t there. That’s it. You know what I mean? Simple as Utah
“[Smith]: (Inaudible).
“[Corey Turner]: Huh?
“[Smith]: Somebody lie on him though.
"[Corey Turner]: Yeah. [Hampton] did. See all we got to do is make [Hampton], look like the liar he is and it’s all good. See what I’m saying?”
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: Did you instruct your mother to tell Mrs. Mitchell, and I quote ‘What the fuck to say’?
“[Charles Turner]: No, I don’t.
“Q. Did you tell your mother the key things Mrs. Mitchell had to say?
“A. No, I didn’t.
“Q. And did she tell — and did you tell your mother if Mrs. Mitchell told your mother that she don’t remember, didn’t you tell your mother to tell her just say you do?
“A. No, I don’t.”
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: And, sir, other than your attorney and his investigator, did you ever direct any individuals to go find witnesses and talk to them?
“[Charles Turner]: Yes, ma’am, I did.
“Q. And to talk to them?
“A. Yes, ma’am.
“Q. And did you, in fact, talk to [Baisden] directly?
“A. Yes, ma’am, I did.
“Q. And your testimony here today is that [Baisden] was out on Edge-wood Street?
“A. Yes, ma’am, it is.
“Q. And do you recall talking to [Baisden] earlier in July—
“A. Yes, ma’am.
“Q. — and telling him to say he wasn’t there?
“A. No, ma’am, I didn’t.
“Q. Because that way, you could have Kendrick Hampton look like the liar that he is? You don’t recall saying that?
“A. I talked to [Baisden]. I asked [Baisden] was he there. [Baisden] told me he wasn’t. I asked [Baisden] did the victim’s family ever ask him to come to court and lie on me. He indicated to me, no, they didn’t.”
In the transcript of the tape-recorded telephone conversation with his mother, Charles Turner stated: “But why can’t you get [Mitchell’s] number? Why you ain’t get the number from Eonette, ma, so I could talk to her, so I could tell her what the luck to say. They telling they people what to say, why can’t I tell mines what to say? . . . You should have at least let me talk to her so I can tell her the key things to say. . . .”
In the tape-recorded conversation with Baisden, Charles Turner explained: “[Hampton] said that you was with him and [Colon] was with him .... Once you talk to [investigator Danielle Lavasseur] you let her know that your Home wasn't there and that [Hampton] tried to get you to lie with him. . . .”
Charles Turner made the following offer of proof regarding Lavasseur’s testimony: Lavasseur’s testimony regarding Charles Turner’s conversation with Baisden would address “the difficulty she was having finding witnesses [when] she only knew a street name and no address and no other formal information to find the witnesses . . . .” Lavasseur’s testimony would also establish that she was having difficulty getting Mitchell to the courthouse because of Mitchell’s health problems.
Specifically, the defendants point to the following comment: "Contrast witnesses like Miss Cutler and Mrs. Mitchell versus the state’s witnesses who are being asked to tell the truth. You know, if was very interesting, on that last conversation by Mr. Graham about Mrs. Mitchell, oh, well, he was just inquiring of her health; oh, he was inquiring of the ride. . . . He’s not worried about how Mrs. Mitchell is going to get there. Make sure she does the right thing. And that theme is repeated over and over again to [Baisden]. You make sure you go in there and tell them that I wasn’t there, [Charles Turner] wasn’t there. And there is a price that Kendrick Hampton is paying, and that’s they’ve tried to trash his reputation because they knew he cooperated with the police for more than a year.”
Practice Book § 40-21 provides: “Upon written demand filed by the prosecuting authority stating the time, date, and place at which the alleged offense was committed, the defendant shall file within twenty days, or at such other time as the judicial authority may direct, a written notice of the defendant’s intention to offer a defense of alibi. Such notice by the defendant shall state 1he specific place or places at which the defendant claims to have been at the time of the alleged offense and the names and addresses of the witnesses upon whom the defendant intends to rely to establish such alibi.” The text of Practice Book § 763 was the same at the time in question.
Practice Book § 40-24 provides: “For good cause shown, the judicial authority may grant an exception to any of the requirements of Sections 40-21 through 40-23.” Except for the internal section references, the text of Practice Book § 767 was the same at the time in question.
Practice Book § 40-5 provides: “If a party fails to comply with disclosure as required under these rules, the opposing party may move the judicial authority for an appropriate order. The judicial authority hearing such a motion may enter such orders and time limitations as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, one or more of the following:
“(1) Requiring the noncomplying party to comply;
“(2) Granting the moving party additional time or a continuance;
“(3) Relieving the moving party from making a disclosure required by these rules;
“(4) Prohibiting the noncomplying party from introducing specified evidence;
“(5) Declaring a mistrial;
“(6) Dismissing the charges;
“(7) Imposing appropriate sanctions on the counsel or party, or both, responsible for the noncompliance; or
“(8) Entering such other order as it deems proper.” The provisions of Practice Book § 735A were the same as those of Practice Book § 40-5.
Corey Turner called five witnesses, who testified prior to both his and Williams’ testimony.
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: And isn’t it a fact, sir, that only this past Saturday you announced that you had an alibi? . . .
“[Defense Counsel]: Objection, Your Honor. That invades the attorney/ client privilege. . . .
“The Court: No. You’ll need to — you’ll need to exclude any communications to counsel, but if you want to ask about whether a notice of alibi was filed or given to the prosecution, you can certainly do that, subject to an objection that changes my mind.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: [Corey] Turner, you’re aware that the state filed a demand for alibi as far back as April of ’96. Is that correct?
“[Defense Counsel Michael J. Graham]: Objection.
“[Corey Turner]: I’m not aware of that. . . .
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: But the first time you chose to notify anyone by a motion was by fax to my office on Saturday and then in court Monday morning. Is that correct?
“[Defense Counsel Leon M. Kaatz]: Objection, Your Honor. That invades attorney-client privilege.
“The Court: You need to talk about the filing of notice to the state, not the first time he told anyone.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: Okay. . . .
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: Sir, is it your testimony that you were never aware of the fact that the state demanded an alibi notice?
“[Corey Turner]: That is my testimony.”
The following colloquy occurred at trial:
“ [Assistant State’s Attorney]: Sir, you’ve testified that you’ve known you’ve had this alibi from the first day. Is that correct?
“[Corey Turner]: That’s correct.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: But from the time that you were arrested to the time of today or until Monday, actually — the first time you made that public was on Monday?
“[Corey Turner]: The first time I made it public to you.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: To the police? Did you make it public to the police?
“[Corey Turner]: I never spoke to the police.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: You were never brought back to Connecticut?
“[Corey Turner]: Yes, but I didn’t speak to the police.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: And you weren’t booked on these charges?
“[Corey Turner]: I was booked on the charges, but I didn’t speak to the police.
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: And at no time did you have anyone go to the police on your behalf or go to the prosecutor’s office on your behalf to tell us where you were?
“[Corey Turner]: What difference would it have made? I was going to be going to trial regardless, so I didn’t — I wasn’t aware that it was some requirement as far as to disclose that information to you ahead of time. If I had been aware of that, I would have done so in the event that I did decide to testify, but being that I wasn’t sure if I was going to testify or not—
“[Assistant State’s Attorney]: You decided to keep it to yourself?
“[Corey Turner]: No, I didn’t keep it to myself. I just didn’t let you know, you know. My attorney knew.”
Practice Book § 43-40 provides in relevant part: “The following periods of lime shall be excluded in computing the time within which the trial of a defendant charged by infonmation with a criminal offense must commence pursuant to Section 43-39 ....
“(4) A reasonable period of delay when the defendant has been joined for trial with a codefendant as to whom the time for trial has not ran and no motion for severance has been granted.” The language of Practice Book § 956C (d), which became Practice Book § 43-40 (4), was the same at the time in question.
General Statutes § 54-82m provides: “In accordance with the provisions of section 51-14, the judges of the Superior Court shall make such rules as they deem necessary to provide a procedure to assure a speedy trial for any person charged with a criminal offense on or after July 1, 1985, Such rules shall provide that (1) in any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of a criminal offense shall commence within twelve months from the filing date of the information or indictment or from the date of the arrest, whichever is later, except that when such defendant is incarcerated in a correctional institution of this state pending such trial and is not subject to the provisions of section 54-82c, the trial of such defendant shall commence within eight months from the filing date of the information or indictment or from the date of arrest, whichever is later; and (2) if a defendant is not brought to trial within the time limit set forth in subdivision (1) and a trial is not commenced within thirty days of a motion for a speedy trial made by the defendant at any time after such time limit has passed, the information or indictment shall be dismissed. Such rules shall include provisions to identify periods of delay caused by the action of the defendant, or the defendant’s inability to stand trial, to be excluded in computing the time limits set forth in subdivision (1).”
Practice Book § 43-39 provides in relevant part: “(c) Except as otherwise provided herein and in Section 43-40, the trial of a defendant charged with a criminal offense on or after July 1, 1985, shall commence within twelve months from the filing of the information or from the date of the arrest, whichever is later.
“(d) The trial of such defendant shall commence within eight months from the filing of the information or from the date of the arrest, whichever is later, if the following conditions are met:
“(1) the defendant has been continuously incarcerated in a correctional institution of this state pending trial for such offense; and
“(2) the defendant is not subject to the provisions of General Statutes § 54-82c. ...” The comparable rule at the time in question was Practice Book § 956B (b).
Practice Book § 43-41 provides: “If the defendant is not brought to trial within (he applicable time limit set forth in Sections 43-39 and 43-40, and, absent good cause shown, a trial is not commenced within thirty days of the filing of a motion for speedy trial by the defendant at any time after such t ime limit has passed, t he information shall be dismissed with prejudice, on motion of the defendant filed after the expiration of such thirty day period. For the purpose of this section, good cause consists of any one of the reasons for delay set forth in Section 43-40. When good cause for delay exists, the trial shall commence as soon as is reasonably possible. Failure of the defendant to file a motion to dismiss prior to the commencement of trial shall constitute a waiver of the right to dismissal under these rules.” The comparable rule a.t the time in question was Practice Book § 956D.