Title: Com. v. Akers
Citation: 392 Pa. Super. 170, 572 A.2d 746
Docket Number: N/A
State: Pennsylvania
Issuer: Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Date: March 30, 1990

392 Pa. Superior Ct. 170 (1990) 572 A.2d 746 COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania v. Anna AKERS a/k/a Anna Wolfe, Appellant. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Argued November 15, 1989. Filed March 30, 1990. *174 H. David Rothman, Pittsburgh, for appellant. Michael W. Streily, Asst. Dist. Atty., Pittsburgh, for Com., appellee. Before ROWLEY, WIEAND and HOFFMAN, JJ. WIEAND, Judge: Anna Akers a/k/a Anna Wolfe[1] was charged with the shooting death of her husband, James Akers, in Hampton Township, Allegheny County, on June 29, 1972,[2] by criminal complaint filed September 9, 1985. On May 19, 1986, a jury found her guilty of first degree murder. After filing post-trial *175 motions on Mrs. Akers' behalf, trial counsel was permitted to withdraw from the case, and present counsel was retained. He filed several supplemental post-trial motions. These were the subject of subsequent evidentiary hearings. Thereafter, the trial court denied all post-trial relief and sentenced Mrs. Akers to prison for the term of her life. On direct appeal from the judgment of sentence, Mrs. Akers has submitted a brief which asserts numerous trial errors and more than thirty instances of alleged ineffective assistance by trial counsel. Finding no merit in any of appellant's contentions, we affirm the judgment of sentence. The great number of issues raised by appellant causes us to be reminded of comments made by the Honorable Ruggero J. Aldisert of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, who reflected: United States v. Hart, 693 F.2d 286, 287 n. 1 (3d Cir. 1982), quoting Aldisert, The Appellate Bar: Professional Competence and Professional Responsibility A View From the Jaundiced Eye of One Appellate Judge, 11 Cap.U.L.Rev. 445, 458 (1982). See also: Commonwealth v. Sirbaugh, 347 Pa.Super. 154, 160-161, 500 A.2d 453, 456 (1985); Commonwealth v. Klinger, 323 Pa.Super. 181, 191, 470 A.2d 540, 545-546 (1983). Nevertheless, we have carefully examined the many arguments advanced by appellant which are assigned as a basis for granting appellate relief in this case. At the time of the killing, appellant was accompanying her husband, a truck driver, who had travelled from Burlington, *176 Iowa, to Pittsburgh in order to make a delivery. After the delivery had been made, appellant and her husband spent the night in Room # 4, at Buskey's Motel on Route 8 in Hampton Township, Allegheny County. There it was that James Akers was fatally shot in the head at or about 3:00 a.m. on June 29, 1972. The specific facts adduced at trial which led to appellant's conviction were summarized in the trial court's opinion as follows: Appellant advances a multi-faceted argument which is difficult to follow but which, in essence, challenges the sufficiency and weight of the evidence. She argues that because Carrie Giza, Vester Shaw and Maxine Cornick, witnesses appearing on behalf of the Commonwealth, had not come forward at the time of the shooting in 1972, but had waited more than twelve years to disclose relevant information to the police, their testimony was rendered inherently improbable, incredible and unreliable, and, as such, was inadmissible. Because of the incredible nature of the Commonwealth's evidence when contrasted with appellant's own spontaneously rendered and credible version, it is asserted that "the evidence was insufficient to establish that the offense did not occur in the manner described by appellant." Similarly, appellant argues that because the Commonwealth's evidence was incredible, it resulted in a verdict which was contrary to the weight of the evidence. Finally, appellant contends that a conviction based on such unreliable evidence deprived her of a fair trial and violated her rights to due process and equal protection of the law. *181 "In reviewing appellant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence we must determine `whether, viewing all the evidence admitted at trial, together with all reasonable inferences therefrom, in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the trier of fact could have found that each element of the offense[] charged was supported by evidence and inferences sufficient in law to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'" Commonwealth v. Sabharwal, 373 Pa.Super. 241, 243, 540 A.2d 957, 958 (1988), quoting Commonwealth v. Jackson, 506 Pa. 469, 472-473, 485 A.2d 1102, 1103 (1984). "When conflicts and discrepancies arise, it is within the province of the jury to determine the weight to be given to each [witness's] testimony and to believe all, part, or none of the evidence as they deem appropriate." Commonwealth v. Verdekal, 351 Pa.Super. 412, 419-420, 506 A.2d 415, 419 (1986). See also: Commonwealth v. Rose, 463 Pa. 264, 268, 344 A.2d 824, 826 (1975). The same standard is applicable in cases, such as the instant case, where the evidence supporting a conviction "is circumstantial rather than direct so long as the combination of the evidence links the accused to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Hardcastle, 519 Pa. 236, 246, 546 A.2d 1101, 1105 (1988). See also: Commonwealth v. Sullivan, 472 Pa. 129, 150, 371 A.2d 468, 478 (1977); Commonwealth v. Petrisko, 442 Pa. 575, 579-580, 275 A.2d 46, 49 (1971). There is no requirement that the Commonwealth exclude all possibility that a third party may have committed the crime. See: Commonwealth v. Sullivan, supra at 152-153, 371 A.2d at 479; Commonwealth v. Kravitz, 400 Pa. 198, 212-213, 161 A.2d 861, 868 (1960), cert. denied, 365 U.S. 846, 81 S. Ct. 807, 5 L. Ed. 2d 811 (1961). When viewed in this light, it is evident that the Commonwealth's evidence was legally sufficient to support appellant's conviction for first degree murder. The evidence at trial established that a month prior to the shooting appellant had expressed a desire to have her husband killed. The evidence also established a motive for the killing. There was also testimony that appellant possessed a gun *182 similar to the murder weapon, so that a jury could find that she had the means with which to commit the crime. Finally, appellant was present in the motel room when her husband was shot, thus giving her an opportunity to commit the crime which she said she had wanted to commit. From the testimony of Carrie Giza, the jury also could have found that the fatal shot was fired following a heated argument between appellant and her husband. Although appellant claimed that an unknown robber had entered the room and killed her husband, the credibility of such testimony was for the jury to determine. The jury could, as it did, reject appellant's version of events and accept as true the evidence presented by the Commonwealth. Appellant's suggestion on appeal that her testimony was credible, while that of the Commonwealth's witnesses was incredible, provides no basis for relief. Credibility issues were for the jury. Appellant's challenge to the weight of the evidence must also fail. "The determination whether to grant a new trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence rests within the discretion of the trial court, and we will not disturb that decision absent an abuse of discretion." Commonwealth v. Hunter, 381 Pa.Super. 606, 617, 554 A.2d 550, 555 (1989). "A trial court should award a new trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence only when the jury's verdict is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one's sense of justice and the award of a new trial is imperative so that right may be given another opportunity to prevail." Commonwealth v. Whitney, 511 Pa. 232, 239, 512 A.2d 1152, 1155-1156 (1986). "Where the evidence is conflicting, the credibility of the witnesses is solely for the jury, and if its finding is supported by the record, the trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial will not be disturbed." Commonwealth v. Larew, 289 Pa.Super. 34, 37, 432 A.2d 1037, 1038 (1981). Instantly, appellant's assault on the jury's credibility determinations is not persuasive that there was an abuse of discretion by the trial court when it refused to award a new *183 trial on the ground that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence. Appellant has cited no authority[3] and our research has disclosed none which supports her contention that the passage of time renders a witness's testimony inadmissible as a matter of law. In Commonwealth v. Lane, 521 Pa. 390, 555 A.2d 1246 (1989), the Supreme Court reiterated that, in cases involving sexual offenses, the failure of a victim to make a prompt complaint is a matter bearing upon the credibility of the witness and is for the jury to consider, but it does not render the victim's testimony inadmissible. Commonwealth v. Lane, supra, 521 Pa. at 397, 555 A.2d at 1250. This we deem a correct statement of the law. The failure of Commonwealth witnesses to come forward in 1972 was a matter affecting the weight and credibility of their testimony, but it did not render their testimony incompetent and inadmissible. Cf. Commonwealth v. Rodgers, 472 Pa. 435, 458-459, 372 A.2d 771, 782 (1977) (plurality opinion) (although defendant's alibi witnesses had no legal *184 duty to inform police immediately of defendant's whereabouts at time crime was committed, Commonwealth could properly cross-examine witnesses as to failure to come forward, for this went to the witnesses' credibility and was, therefore, a proper area of cross-examination). While there is no statute of limitations in homicide cases, the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires dismissal of criminal charges if pre-indictment delay causes substantial prejudice to the defendant's right to a fair trial and such delay has been employed by police as an intentional device to gain a tactical advantage over an accused. Commonwealth v. Arnold, 331 Pa.Super. 345, 360, 480 A.2d 1066, 1074 (1984), quoting United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 324, 92 S. Ct. 455, 465, 30 L. Ed. 2d 468, 480-481 (1971). See also: Commonwealth v. Berry, 355 Pa.Super. 243, 251, 513 A.2d 410, 414 (1986); Commonwealth v. Murphy, 305 Pa. Super. 246, 252, 451 A.2d 514, 517 (1982). The Commonwealth is not required by the Constitution to file charges as soon as it obtains evidence of a defendant's guilt. Rather, it may delay the filing of charges in order to conduct further investigation. "A delay for a reasonable investigation does not violate due process even if it adversely affects the defendant's case." Commonwealth v. Colson, 507 Pa. 440, 452, 490 A.2d 811, 817 (1985), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1140, 106 S. Ct. 2245, 90 L. Ed. 2d 692 (1986). See also: United States v. Lovasco, 431 U.S. 783, 795-796, 97 S. Ct. 2044, 2051-2052, 52 L. Ed. 2d 752, 762-763 (1977); Commonwealth v. Sneed, 514 Pa. 597, 604, 526 A.2d 749, 752-753 (1987). Instantly, appellant does not argue that the Commonwealth intentionally delayed the filing of charges against her. Rather, she contends that due process and equal protection of the law required the witnesses against her to come forward in 1972 or shortly thereafter to provide the evidence which was subsequently relied upon by the Commonwealth. In so doing, she concedes that "there is no evidence that the Commonwealth prevented or discouraged *185 the witnesses from coming forward." Our review of the evidence confirms that the Commonwealth took no intentional action to delay the filing of charges in the instant case. Until the Commonwealth uncovered information possessed by Giza, Shaw and Cornick, it lacked adequate cause for bringing a criminal charge against appellant. Under these circumstances there was not a showing that the Commonwealth's action in causing or allowing the delay was "fundamentally unfair." Therefore, there was not a due process violation. United States v. Lovasco, supra. Cf. Commonwealth v. Berry, supra (no due process violation where pre-indictment delay was solely attributable to victim's reluctance to report the crimes). Moreover, appellant has failed to allege specifically in what manner the delay prevented her from receiving a fair trial. Instead, she relies solely upon the erroneous belief that the Commonwealth witnesses were under a legal duty to come forward. As we have already observed, no such duty existed. Appellant next argues that the trial court should have stricken the testimony of Carrie Giza because it lacked specificity. Appellant argues that because Giza did not know the exact date on which she had stayed at Buskey's Motel and was unable to state positively that the bang which she had heard was a gunshot, the witness should not have been allowed to testify. A similar argument was rejected by the Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Palmer, 273 Pa.Super. 184, 417 A.2d 229 (1979). There, a witness testified that she had heard sobbing, then a cry and a bang. The witness described the sobbing and cry as sounding like a female voice and the bang as sounding like a firecracker. On cross-examination, however, the witness admitted that she was not certain what the sounds were. The defendant argued that the witness's testimony was too uncertain to be admitted at trial, but the Superior Court held that the uncertainties of the witness had been subjected to cross-examination and "bore on the weight to be accorded [the witness's] testimony, not its admissibility." *186 Commonwealth v. Palmer, supra, 273 Pa.Superior Ct. at 191, 417 A.2d at 232. Similarly in the instant case, although Giza was not certain of the date on which she had stayed at the motel, she said she had learned the next morning that a shooting had occurred. The Commonwealth produced evidence that no other shootings had occurred at the motel. Thus, it was possible for the jury to find that Giza had been at the motel on the night on which Akers had been shot. Whether the bang which Giza had heard was, in fact, a gunshot was for the jury to determine. The uncertainties in Giza's testimony went to its weight, not the admissibility thereof. Similarly, the fact that Giza's testimony was contradicted by that of her husband did not render her testimony inadmissible. The conflict in the testimony of husband and wife witnesses was for the jury to resolve. Appellant argues that Maxine Cornick's testimony that appellant had shown her a gun similar to the murder weapon five months prior to the crime should also have been excluded. Appellant's possession of the gun was too remote in time, it is argued, to have been relevant. Appellant also asserts that Cornick's inability to identify specifically that the gun possessed by appellant was the murder weapon rendered Cornick's testimony inadmissible. "`The question of remoteness, which is basically one of relevance, is properly vested in the discretion of the trial court, and its decision thereon will not be reversed unless a clear abuse of discretion is shown.'" Commonwealth v. Sullivan, 372 Pa.Super. 88, 91, 538 A.2d 1363, 1365 (1988), quoting Tolentino v. Bailey, 230 Pa.Super. 8, 13, 326 A.2d 920, 922 (1974). In Commonwealth v. Yount, 455 Pa. 303, 314 A.2d 242 (1974), the Supreme Court observed that a defendant's possession of a weapon that could have been used to commit the crime is relevant. The Court explained that such evidence: Id., 455 Pa. at 316 n. 8, 314 A.2d at 249 n. 8, quoting 1 Wharton's Criminal Evidence § 211 at 441-442 (13th ed. C. Torcia 1972). In Commonwealth v. Shoatz, 469 Pa. 545, 366 A.2d 1216 (1976), the Supreme Court concluded that the defendant's possession of automatic rifles at the time of his arrest, eighteen months after the shooting of two police officers, was admissible on the ground that the jury could reasonably infer therefrom that the defendant had participated in the shooting. In rejecting the defendant's argument that his possession of the weapons was too remote in time, the Shoatz Court said: Id. at 565, 366 A.2d at 1226. See: United States v. Covelli, 738 F.2d 847, 855-856 &amp; n. 14 (7th Cir. 1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 867, 105 S. Ct. 211, 83 L. Ed. 2d 141 (1984) (testimony concerning defendant's possession of handgun on two occasions, once three years prior to and once seven months prior to shooting, was admissible); United States v. Zappola, 677 F.2d 264, 270 (2d Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 866, 103 S. Ct. 145, 74 L. Ed. 2d 122 (1982) (testimony that defendant possessed handgun six months prior to crime was properly *188 admitted as evidence of access to weapon); Commonwealth v. Clark, 280 Pa.Super. 1, 5-7, 421 A.2d 374, 376-377 (1980), aff'd, 501 Pa. 393, 461 A.2d 794 (1983) (testimony regarding defendant's possession of knife five weeks after commission of crime admissible even though victim was unable to identify knife). See also: Commonwealth v. Coccioletti, 493 Pa. 103, 110, 425 A.2d 387, 390 (1981); Commonwealth v. Lark, 316 Pa.Super. 240, 254, 462 A.2d 1329, 1336 (1983), aff'd, 505 Pa. 126, 477 A.2d 857 (1984). When the principles of law in these cases are applied to the instant case it is readily apparent that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing Maxine Cornick to testify regarding appellant's possession of a handgun five months before the shooting. After the jury had been instructed upon the applicable law and had retired to deliberate, it requested the trial court to repeat the law pertaining to first and second degree murder. Defense counsel thereupon asked the court to recharge the jury on all degrees of homicide. The trial court declined this request and addressed only the jury's specific request. This is now asserted as error. "The scope of supplemental instructions given in response to a jury's request rests within the sound discretion of the trial judge. He may properly confine supplemental instructions to the particular question asked by the jury despite a defendant's request for additional instructions." Commonwealth v. Haddle, 271 Pa.Super. 418, 422, 413 A.2d 735, 738 (1979). See also: Commonwealth v. Perkins, 473 Pa. 116, 131-132, 373 A.2d 1076, 1083-1084 (1977); Commonwealth v. Boone, 467 Pa. 168, 180-181, 354 A.2d 898, 904 (1975). Instantly, we perceive no abuse of discretion in the trial court's confining its supplemental instructions to the specific areas of the jury's inquiry. Also asserted by appellant as error is the trial court's allowing the jury to take the murder weapon out with it during its deliberations. The law applicable to this is as follows: Commonwealth v. Riffert, 379 Pa.Super. 1, 22, 549 A.2d 566, 577 (1988), quoting Commonwealth v. Thomas, 372 Pa.Super. 349, 363, 539 A.2d 829, 836-837 (1988). Other appellate decisions have consistently refused to find an abuse of discretion where the murder weapon was allowed to be taken out with the jury. See: Commonwealth v. Hobson, 484 Pa. 250, 254-256, 398 A.2d 1364, 1366-1367 (1979) (revolver); Commonwealth v. Datesman, 343 Pa.Super. 176, 188, 494 A.2d 413, 419 (1985) (shotgun). Similarly, we find no abuse of discretion here. We turn now to appellant's many assertions that counsel rendered ineffective assistance. In evaluating claims of ineffective assistance of counsel we utilize the following approach: Commonwealth v. House, 371 Pa.Super. 23, 28, 537 A.2d 361, 363 (1988). Moreover, Commonwealth v. Dunbar, 503 Pa. 590, 596, 470 A.2d 74, 77 (1983). Having evaluated appellant's many claims of ineffectiveness of trial counsel in light of the foregoing principles, we conclude that appellant has not met her burden of proving that trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective. Our discussion of each of these many contentions, therefore, will be brief. Appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective because he refrained from calling character witnesses in the mistaken belief that they would be subject to cross-examination regarding her arrest in Iowa on a charge of *191 arson.[4] That such cross-examination would not have been permitted is clear. See: Commonwealth v. Scott, 496 Pa. 188, 436 A.2d 607 (1981). However, counsel assured the post-verdict court that he had been aware that the Commonwealth would not have been permitted to so cross-examine defense character witnesses and testified that his concern was with the fact that appellant did not enjoy a good reputation in the community in which she lived. Because of this he was fearful that the Commonwealth would also be able to call character witnesses who would rebut any testimony by defense witnesses that appellant enjoyed a good reputation. This matter was discussed by trial counsel and his client and it was agreed mutually that character witnesses would not be called. This was a reasonable decision intended to serve appellant's interest. The trial court did not err in denying relief on this ground. Cf. Commonwealth v. Peterkin, 511 Pa. 299, 319, 513 A.2d 373, 383 (1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1070, 107 S. Ct. 962, 93 L. Ed. 2d 1010 (1987) ("[C]ounsel's concern, that the potential harm from cross-examination of character witnesses outweighed the doubtful value of their testimony, was a reasonable basis for not pursuing potential character witnesses or presenting character evidence."). Appellant's contention that counsel ineffectively conducted voir dire examination of prospective jurors is also lacking in merit. Commonwealth v. Merrick, 338 Pa.Super. 495, 500-501, 488 A.2d 1, 3 (1985). For this reason, it has been held improper to ask a juror about his or her attitude regarding the insanity defense, Commonwealth v. Merrick, supra, or about gang related incidents. Commonwealth v. Wilson, 482 Pa. 350, 354-355, 393 A.2d 1141, 1144 (1978). Similarly, it would have been improper in the instant case to interrogate prospective jurors regarding their attitudes on appellant's adultery. Because there is no substantive merit in appellant's underlying argument, her trial counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to examine prospective jurors on such a matter. There also is no merit in appellant's suggestion that counsel was ineffective for accepting a juror whom he had previously challenged for cause. Although this prospective juror initially had answered that she would be more likely to believe a policeman's testimony, subsequent questioning established that she would be able to apply the court's instructions regarding witness credibility equally to police and lay witnesses alike. It was for this reason, that the trial court had refused a challenge for cause. Commonwealth v. Colson, supra at 454, 490 A.2d at 818. See also: Commonwealth v. DeHart, 512 Pa. 235, 516 A.2d 656 (1986), cert. denied, 483 U.S. 1010, 107 S. Ct. 3241, 97 L. Ed. 2d 746 (1987); Commonwealth v. Hashem, 363 Pa.Super. 111, 525 A.2d 744 (1987). Inasmuch as the trial court had found that the witness was able and willing to follow the court's instructions regarding the credibility of witnesses, trial counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to use a peremptory challenge to exclude the same juror. See: Commonwealth v. Copeland, 381 Pa.Super. 382, 392-394, 554 A.2d 54, 59 (1988). Appellant argues also that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request the trial court to instruct the jury that: (1) the credibility of Commonwealth witnesses Shaw, Giza and Cornick should be subjected to more careful scrutiny because of their delay in coming forward; and (2) appellant's testimony about the intruder shooting her husband was entitled to be favorably viewed because it was a spontaneous utterance. These assertions, however, are unsupported by established evidentiary principles; and counsel will not be deemed ineffective for failing to make such requests. Moreover, the trial court fully and adequately instructed the jury on the issue of the credibility of *194 witnesses. "Where the substance of the requested charge is adequately and clearly conveyed, the court's failure to give the verbatim instruction [suggested] by appellant is not error." Commonwealth v. Freeman, 295 Pa.Super. 467, 479, 441 A.2d 1327, 1333 (1982). See also: Commonwealth v. LaMassa, 367 Pa.Super. 54, 58, 532 A.2d 450, 452 (1987); Commonwealth v. Rhem, 283 Pa.Super. 565, 576, 424 A.2d 1345, 1351 (1980). There is no substantive merit in appellant's contention. The claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise as an issue that appellant's right to a speedy trial was violated because of the delay between 1972 and the filing of the complaint in 1985 is lacking in merit. "Passage of time between crime and arrest is not a matter within the context of Sixth Amendment speedy trial rights. Only a formal indictment, information or arrest, any of which binds an accused to respond to a criminal charge, invokes Sixth Amendment privileges. Once a citizen's liberty is restrained, [her] speedy trial rights are activated." Commonwealth v. Arnold, supra at 360, 480 A.2d at 1074. Equally lacking in merit is appellant's contention that counsel was ineffective for not asserting constitutional violations of due process and equal protection because of the failure of the Commonwealth witnesses to come forward promptly. We have already discussed these contentions at length, and have found the underlying issues to be devoid of merit. The remaining contentions of ineffectiveness discussed in appellant's brief are nothing more than a hindsight analysis of strategic decisions made and trial tactics adopted by trial counsel. In essence, appellant takes issue with trial counsel's investigation and evaluation of the case, his examination and cross-examination of witnesses at trial, his arguments to the jury and his failure to object to arguments advanced by the Commonwealth, as well as numerous other decisions made by counsel. We have examined these contentions and have reviewed the trial transcript and the testimony provided at the several post-trial evidentiary *195 hearings. Our review has disclosed no basis for finding trial counsel constitutionally ineffective. The final argument made by appellant is a blanket assertion that the trial court failed to provide an in depth review of issues in its post-trial opinion. We find this argument patently unfounded. The record discloses that the trial court allowed appellant to file several supplemental post-trial motions and heard testimony thereon. The court thereafter prepared a twenty page opinion in which most, if not all, of appellant's many contentions were specifically addressed. On appeal, we have determined that appellant's numerous arguments were lacking in merit. Some of those arguments misperceived established principles of law, and others were made without citation to authority. That the trial court's discussion of such arguments was brief did not imply a lack of diligence by the court but only a lack of merit in appellant's contentions. We have reviewed appellant's contentions and have found no basis for disturbing the jury's verdict. The judgment of sentence is affirmed. [1] Anna Akers married Gary Wolfe prior to the filing of the complaint. [2] Charges of murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter were brought under and pursuant to the Penal Code of June 24, 1939, P.L. 872, §§ 701 and 703, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 4701 and 4703. [3] A 1938 divorce case decided by the Maryland Court of Appeals and relied upon by appellant is inapposite and provides no support for appellant's contention that a witness's failure to disclose evidence promptly renders his or her testimony inadmissible as a matter of law. See: Jones v. Jones, 174 Md. 522, 199 A. 513 (1938). [4] Appellant was subsequently acquitted of this charge.