Opinion ID: 2374330
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: It happens.

Text: Immediately thereafter Biller was asked if it (the proof of loss) was in anticipation of something happening. Biller objected and the grand juror ordered him to answer in his corporate capacity. Clearly this entire colloquy was infected by the grand juror's erroneous ruling on the applicability of Biller's fifth amendment privilege. That Biller was compelled to incriminate himself is manifest. [6] `[A] witness protected by the privilege may rightfully refuse to answer unless and until he is protected at least against the use of his compelled answers and evidence derived therefrom in any subsequent criminal case in which he is a defendant. Kastigar v. United States, 406 U.S. 441, 92 S. Ct. 1653, 32 L. Ed. 2d 212 [reh. denied, 408 U.S. 931, 92 S. Ct. 2478, 33 L. Ed. 2d 345] (1972). Absent such protection if he is nevertheless compelled to answer, his answers are inadmissible against him in a later criminal prosecution. Bram v. United States, [168 U.S. 532, 18 S. Ct. 183, 42 L. Ed. 568 (1897) ]; Boyd v. United States, [116 U.S. 616, 6 S. Ct. 524, 29 L. Ed. 746 (1886) ]'; Lefkowitz v. Turley, 414 U.S. 70, 78, 94 S. Ct. 316, 38 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1973). Garner v. United States, 424 U.S. 648, 653, 96 S. Ct. 1178, 47 L. Ed. 2d 370 (1976). Because we find that admitting Biller's March 3 statement in his subsequent trial was error, we need not consider the admission of the March 4 statement as it was an inseparable component of the state's exhibit. Further, it is apparent that the improperly admitted evidence contradicted the testimony of the defense witnesses on one of the central issues in the case, namely, whether the proofs of loss were signed by the Cappolas at home, in blank, or in front of the defendant in his office. Because it is evident from our examination of the record and transcript that credibility was crucial in this case; State v. Ouellette, 190 Conn. 84, 103-104, 459 A.2d 1005 (1983); we cannot say that the error was harmless.