Opinion ID: 1443072
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Letter from Smith

Text: Prior to trial, the State announced its intention to introduce into evidence a letter that Smith had written to his friend, Carlton Alston, while Smith was in prison awaiting trial. The State planned to introduce the letter into evidence through the testimony of Alston. In the letter, Smith asked Alston to take out victims Dilks and Hare and to speak with co-defendant Campbell in order to convince Campbell to recant his statement to the police. At that point, Campbell had accepted the State's plea offer and was to testify at Smith's trial. In pertinent part, the letter stated the following: Pod 1F Cell # 6 (protective custody) Monday 7:21 p.m. To: B.M. From: Jonni Bang Bang . . . Dustin knows me, I don't know Alston. . . Man when the time is right take him out correctly Jonni tried close range both niggaz if you can't get nothing bigger hit him in the throat or kneck behind da ear, when I had my turn I should not of done that shit, the way that went down was not normal,!! But we'll talk further in person, keep me updated on everything . . . But as the world turns I'll be here praying 4 for yall as long as the law ain't got da gun or da witness the case is beat!!!!! Even if B-eazy said something wrong, Now,! when it come to trial he can simply take the stand and say he was scared so he told them what they wanted to hear, but, for now, KEEP IT GANGSTA, stay on da low and If y'all gonna hit something do it RIGHT!! Defense counsel objected to the letter as evidence on the grounds that Alston's testimony would be insufficient to establish that the letter was, in fact, sent by Smith.