Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20130426_0001576.EPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-03-28 21:50:41
Document Index: 183774769

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1962', '§ 1959', '§ 1512', '§ 1959', '§ 1513', '§ 844']

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,v.KABONI SAVAGE.
On May 9, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a seventeen-count Fourth Superseding Indictment (the "Indictment") charging Defendant Kaboni Savage with: conspiracy to participate in the affairs of a racketeering ("RICO") enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) (Count 1); twelve counts of murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) (Counts 2-7, 10-15); tampering with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(a) (Count 8)[1]; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) (Count 9); retaliating against a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1513(a) (Count 16); and using fire to commit a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1) (Count 17). (Fourth Superseding Indictment, ECF No. 480.) Savage was charged along with three co-defendants, Steven Northington, Robert Merritt, and his sister, Kidada Savage. Lamont Lewis was also charged in the First Superseding Indictment. The charges against Lewis were disposed of by guilty plea on April 21, 2011. On March 14, 2011, the Government filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Savage, Merritt and Northington. (ECF Nos. 196, 197, 198.) The Government does not seek the death penalty against Kidada.
Trial commenced on February 4, 2013. During its case in chief, the Government called Curtis Singleton as a witness. (Feb. 13 Hr'g Tr. 240, ECF No. 1073 (filed under seal).) Singleton provided testimony on February 13 and 14, 2013. ( Id.; Feb. 14 Hr'g Tr., ECF No. 1095 (filed under seal).) Singleton testified, among other things, about an altercation he had with Defendant on January 7, 2001 at Defendant's home on Darien Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Feb. 13 Hr'g Tr. 258.)
Defendant requests that the Court reconsider its ruling which permitted the Government to read into evidence grand jury testimony given by Singleton as a prior consistent statement under Rule 801(d)(1)(B) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. On direct examination, Singleton explained to the jury that, during an altercation with Defendant at Defendant's home, Defendant struck him on the side of the head with a gun. (Feb. 13 Hr'g Tr. 258.)[2] During cross examination by defense counsel, Singleton testified that he was interviewed by Special Agent Kevin Lewis and Detective Thomas Zielinski on March 9, 2004 and April 30, 2004. (Feb. 13 Hr'g Tr. 297, 299.) Defense counsel attempted to impeach the credibility of Singleton on a number of occasions.[3] On redirect, the Government sought to rehabilitate Singleton by introducing a portion of the testimony he provided to the grand jury in May of 2004. (Feb. 14 Hr'g Tr. 12-15.) Singleton testified before the grand jury about the altercation at Defendant's home. ( Id. ) Specifically, Singleton stated that Defendant pointed a gun at him, demanded that Singleton return the money, and then struck Singleton over the head with the gun. ( Id. at 12-14.) He further testified that he took $300 from Defendant, and that Barbara Savage was present during this incident. ( Id. )
Rule 801(d)(1)(B) of the Federal Rules of Evidence states that a prior statement made by a witness is not hearsay when it "is consistent with the declarant's testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge that the declarant recently fabricated it or acted from a recent improper influence or motive in so testifying" Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(1)(B). "Prior consistent statements may not be admitted to counter all forms of impeachment or to bolster the witness merely because [he] has been discredited." Tome v. United States, 513 U.S. 150, 157 (1995). The purpose of the Rule permitting admission of consistent statements is to "rebut a charge of recent fabrication or improper influence or motive" and not to "bolster the veracity of the story told." United States v. Frazier, 469 F.3d 85, 88 (3d Cir. 2006) (internal citations omitted).