Opinion ID: 2622335
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Application of the Forfeiture Doctrine to Vasquez

Text: The trial court in this case rendered its decision without the guidance of Moreno or of today's opinion. Nonetheless, we affirm the trial court's determination that Vasquez forfeited his right to confront Angela Vasquez. The court held a pretrial hearing and made findings of fact which support the court's legal conclusion. It is undisputed that the witness was unavailable. The trial court found that Vasquez made a voluntary statement to the first arriving police officer that he had killed his wife, establishing that Vasquez was responsible for the witness's unavailability. Finally, the court found that Vasquez, in explaining why he killed the witness, said, She set me up, from which the court deduced that Vasquez was motivated, at least in part, to silence her as a witness. Uncertain of the proper standard of proof, the trial court concluded that the prosecution presented not only a preponderance, but clear and convincing evidence that Vasquez was motivated at least in part to prevent the witness's testimony. These factual findings are supported by the record and shall not be disturbed on appeal. Vasquez's argument that his confession was related not to this case but to another criminal case is inapposite in light of today's opinion. Nor does it matter that the case at issue was not yet filed at the time of the murder. The trial court's finding that Vasquez killed his wife with the motive to silence her as a witness is sufficient to establish a forfeiture of Vasquez's right to confront her in all of the proceedings in which her statements are otherwise admissible.