Opinion ID: 1970693
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: inapplicability of the co-conspirator exception

Text: The State's reliance on D.R.E. 801(d)(2)(E) is misplaced. That provision states in relevant part: A statement is not hearsay if ... [t]he statement is offered against a party and is ... a statement made by a co-conspirator of a party during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy[.] D.R.E. 801(d)(2)(E). To fall within the co-conspirator statement exclusion, the admitted statement must have been made during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy. Lloyd v. State, Del.Supr., 534 A.2d 1262, 1264 (1987); see also Lutwak v. United States, 344 U.S. 604, 617, 73 S.Ct. 481, 489, 97 L.Ed. 593 (1953) (applying federal counterpart); Krulewitch v. United States, 336 U.S. 440, 442-43, 69 S.Ct. 716, 717-18, 93 L.Ed. 790 (1949) (same). [14] Duration of a conspiracy depends on the fact-specific scope of the original agreement, but generally a conspiracy terminates upon accomplishment of the principal objective unless specific evidence is introduced indicating that the scope of the original agreement included acts taken to conceal the criminal activity. Lutwak, 344 U.S. at 616, 73 S.Ct. at 488; Krulewitch, 336 U.S. at 442-43, 69 S.Ct. at 717-18. A declaration made by a co-conspirator after termination of the conspiracy is inadmissible under the co-conspirator hearsay exclusion against any co-conspirator other than the declarant. Lutwak, 344 U.S. at 617-18, 73 S.Ct. at 489-90; Krulewitch, 336 U.S. at 443, 69 S.Ct. at 718 (reversing conviction where post-conspiracy declaration improperly admitted under exception). In the instant case, the State does not specify when the conspiracy to assault Ward ended. There is nothing in the record requiring departure from the general rule that a conspiracy terminates upon the accomplishment (successfully or unsuccessfully) of the primary object, here the assault on Ward. [15] Thus, the October 10 conversation does not fall within the ambit of the co-conspirator hearsay exclusion. See D.R.E. 801(d)(2)(E); Lutwak, 344 U.S. at 617-18, 73 S.Ct. at 489-90; Krulewitch, 336 U.S. at 443, 69 S.Ct. at 718.