Opinion ID: 2623133
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Interpretation of Section 18-8-707(1)(a)

Text: To give effect to the intent of the legislature, we first look to the language of the statute itself. The plain language of subsection (1)(a) does not require that the witness or victim actually testify at a proceeding for the crime to occur. Indeed, unlike subsection (1)(b), the language does not even require that the witness or victim have been legally summoned to appear at the proceeding. See generally People v. Yascavage. To sustain a conviction under section 18-8-707(1)(a) the prosecutor is required to prove the defendant attempted to influence a witness or victim to testify falsely or unlawfully withhold testimony. (emphasis added). We first address the meaning of testify or testimony. We interpret words and phrases according to their common usage unless they have a technical definition in the statutes. The general assembly defines testifying or testimony to include[] oral or written statements, documents, or any other evidence that may be offered by or through a witness in an official proceeding. § 18-8-601, C.R.S. (2004) (emphasis added). This definition does not require that a statement be sworn to qualify as testimony. Similarly, it does not require that the witness be in the midst of actual testimony, but rather only that the witness be in a position such that he or she may offer testimony in an official proceeding. We next turn to what unlawfully withhold means in the statute. We have guidance here, in that we have addressed this language in the context of a similar statute dealing with intimidating a witness. That statute provides that: A person commits intimidating a witness or victim if, by use of a threat ... he intentionally attempts to [ ][i]nfluence the witness or victim to testify falsely or unlawfully withhold any testimony. § 18-8-704, C.R.S. (2004). In People v. Proctor, 194 Colo. 172, 570 P.2d 540 (1977), the defendant was charged with violating the intimidation statute. An individual, Mr. Box, had witnessed a ruckus and was listed as a potential witness on the defendant's summons. Id. at 173, 570 P.2d at 541. The defendant told him that if he appeared in court he would be taken care of. Id. At the time of the comment, Box had not received a subpoena, but he was subsequently subpoenaed and did testify at the defendant's trial. The defendant was convicted of intimidating a witness under section 18-8-604, 8B C.R.S. (1973) (1978 Repl.Vol. 8). [2] On appeal, the defendant argued that subsection (1)(a) of the statute was designed to deal solely with the circumstance in which a witness is induced to and actually does testify falsely or withhold material testimony. Proctor, 194 Colo. at 174, 570 P.2d at 541. Because Box did testify and presumably testified accurately, the defendant argued that the statute was inapplicable. The court was not persuaded. Rather, we concluded that all that is necessary to complete this crime is to presently attempt, by threat of harm or injury, to influence someone to withhold testimony at a future time. Id. Hence, the victim or witness did not have to be under subpoena or summons at the time of the intimidation  nor was there any requirement of actual testimony implicit in the statute. We have not even required that the testimony to be withheld be material, relevant, or competent. People v. Francois, 198 Colo. 249, 598 P.2d 144 (1979). [3] Because the language of the intimidation statute is substantially similar to the language we interpret in this case, we hold that the same principles apply here. Reading the introductory portion of the statute together with subsection (1)(a), we interpret testimony and unlawfully withhold to protect statements that may be offered in the future, not just those already sworn or received as evidence. Accordingly, under subsection (1)(a), the witness or victim need not be under subpoena or legal summons at the time of the contact, and the defendant need not succeed in interfering with actual testimony of the victim or witness.