Opinion ID: 1964385
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admissibility of Belkner's Conversation with Inmate West.

Text: [4] Defendants all claim that a conversation which took place between inmate West and defendant Belkner, which was admitted over objection, was so prejudicial that defendants were denied a fair trial. They further claim that the conversation was hearsay and inadmissible as such. Roland Fleury, a paroled inmate, testified at defendants' trial that he had seen someone holding a pipe over the prison steward's head. When asked who was holding the pipe, Fleury stated that he could not reveal the identity of the person for personal reasons, very strong reasons. In chambers, Fleury stated that a threat against his life had been conveyed to him by his sister from one Tweedel, a guard at the prison. Tweedel was called in chambers and stated the nature of the conversation to the court. The court decided that the testimony was admissible as conduct indicative of a guilty frame of mind. Tweedel was then allowed to testify in front of the jury, over objection, to the following conversation which he overheard while on duty at the prison on December 28, 1975: West: They slipped Roland (Fleury) out of prison and he ratted us out. Belkner: We've got plenty of friends at all the joints and we'll get letters out and find out where he's at. West: We'll find him and kill the little bastard. Defendants concede that attempts by an accused to threaten witnesses or prevent them from testifying are admissible against the accused in evidence. 2 J. Wigmore, Evidence §§ 273, 277, 278 (3d ed. 1940); 1 C. Torcia, Wharton's Criminal Evidence § 217 (13th ed. 1972); Annot., 62 A.L.R. 136 (1929). Defendants claim, however, that in order to be admissible the threats must be linked to Belkner and that there is no evidence to show that Belkner adopted West's threats. We are of the opinion that Belkner's own words could have been found by the court to be threatening to the witness and were admissible as such. See 2 J. Wigmore supra. At the conclusion of this testimony the court instructed the jury that the conversation was to be considered only in the Belkner case and that it was not evidence against Dunn and Laaman. These limiting instructions properly removed any prejudice to Dunn and Laaman. [5] The court was informed in advance as to what Tweedel's testimony was to be. The court allowed defense counsel to make their objections and argue them at that time. At the conclusion, the court determined that the testimony was admissible and that its value outweighed any prejudice to Belkner. State v. Black, 116 N.H. 836, 368 A.2d 1177 (1976). We find that the record supports the determination of the court. The statements were not hearsay because they were not offered to prove any fact contained therein but only to show that the statements were made. C. McCormick, Law of Evidence §§ 246, 249 (2d ed. 1972); 6 J. Wigmore, Evidence § 1790 (Chadbourn rev. 1970).