Opinion ID: 1136816
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the sufficiency of the evidence of a joint undertaking

Text: Wall and Hawley argue that the prosecution failed to establish sufficiently by independent evidence the existence of a joint undertaking and, therefore, Laschober's statements concerning them were not admissible against them. Moreover, they contend that if Laschober's statements are not admissible, the evidence is insufficient to support a verdict and the convictions should be reversed. We find that there was sufficient independent evidence to justify the admission of Laschober's statements and the evidence is sufficient to support the verdict. In Amidon v. State, 565 P.2d 1248 (Alaska 1977), this court defined the circumstances under which hearsay statements by a co-defendant are admissible: In order for the statement of the codefendant to be admissible, the declaration must have been made while the joint undertaking was continuing, and must have been in furtherance thereof. While the trial court may, in its discretion, vary the order of proof, the existence of the joint undertaking must be proven independently to justify the admission of the codefendant's statement. . . . The preliminary question of whether a joint undertaking exists is for the trial court to determine. The quantum of proof required has been alternatively stated as proof sufficient to support a finding, or as a fair preponderance of the evidence. The showing necessary to support such a finding must be by evidence from another source. 565 P.2d at 1259 (footnotes omitted) (emphasis added). In Amidon we did not elaborate on which standard of proof is required to show the independent existence of the joint undertaking. [8] Although there is no indication in the record what standard the trial court applied here, we will assume that it was the preponderance of the evidence standard. [9] The state did not argue that a lesser standard should be used, nor did the defendants object to the use of the standard the judge applied. [10] We find the evidence, independent of the co-defendant's statements, sufficient to establish a joint undertaking to traffic in narcotics [11] and Wall's connection with the undertaking. Under a false name, Wall rented the Opel used by Hawley to meet Laschober. On the night of the transaction, he was seen at Hawley's residence and in the Bronco with Hawley. When Officer Adams tried to stop Wall, he fled at a high rate of speed until stopped at a roadblock. Marked money was found along the path of Wall's flight. To say the least, it is highly improbable that anyone other than Wall would have had the motive to throw one-hundred-dollar bills alongside the road. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Wall had in his possession approximately $4,000 in cash, which tends to indicate involvement in drug dealing. (See discussion infra at page 1361.) We conclude that there was sufficient independent evidence to establish Wall's connection with the joint undertaking. Hence, Laschober's statements were admissible against him and the evidence is sufficient to support his conviction. There is also sufficient independent evidence to connect Hawley to the joint undertaking. At the Hewitt's Drug Store meeting, Laschober was initially unable to deliver the cocaine. After the arrival of Hawley, she was able to discuss the sale arrangement, but only following a conversation with Hawley. The sale did not occur on that day because of problems the police encountered, but Laschober indicated an ability to acquire the drugs. On September 28, the sale occurred. Each time Laschober received money from the officers, she immediately drove off and met with Hawley. After the first meeting, she returned with cocaine. After the second, she did not return with cocaine but only because it had not been cut into the proper quantity. Moreover, after the first meeting between Laschober and Hawley, he and Wall were seen together both at Hawley's house and in the Bronco. The marked money which had been given to Laschober was subsequently found along the road where Wall attempted to evade arrest. In our view, the continuing relationship with Laschober and the connection with Wall sufficiently established by a preponderance of the evidence that Hawley was a member of the joint undertaking. Consequently, the statements were admissible and we hold that the evidence was sufficient to support his conviction. [12]