Opinion ID: 2622335
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: In sum, we hold that where (1) a witness is unavailable; (2) the defendant was involved in, or responsible for, procuring the unavailability of the witness; and (3) the defendant acted with the intent to deprive the criminal justice system of evidence, the defendant then forfeits his right to confront the witness in all proceedings in which the witness's statements are otherwise admissible. In order to establish forfeiture, these elements must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence in an evidentiary hearing outside the presence of the jury. The forfeiture applies to confrontation rights under both federal and state constitutions. We further hold that the doctrine of forfeiture by wrongdoing does not preclude hearsay objections under the Colorado Rules of Evidence. We overrule the portions of the court of appeals' opinion which state otherwise. We thus affirm on other grounds the court of appeals' holding that the trial court did not err in admitting Angela Vasquez's statements. Vasquez forfeited his right to confront the witness, and the witness's out-of-court statements were admissible under the residual hearsay exception in CRE 807.