Opinion ID: 2107127
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Testimony of Elaine Thomas

Text: Elaine testified at trial that she was involved in the April 25, 2002 robberies along with the following individuals: Roy Diefenderfer (defendant); Patty Diefenderfer (defendant's wife); William Thomas (Patty Diefenderfer's brother); and Michael Sparfven (the uncle of Patty Diefenderfer and William Thomas). She further testified that, in connection with the April 25 robberies, she entered into a cooperation agreement with the state and pled guilty to first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and larceny of a firearm. During defendant's trial, the prosecution elicited testimony from Elaine with respect to the cooperation agreement, and the agreement itself was read into the record. Elaine testified at trial that she met defendant's wife, Patty Diefenderfer, through a neighbor and that the two became friends. She further testified that she met William Thomas through Patty (William's sister) and that they began dating in January of 2002. Elaine testified that she met Mr. Sparfven later in 2002, and he asked her whether she wanted to work with William in a boutique jewelry store. Elaine testified that, after first having leased space for the self-styled jewelry store [3] at a location that was later deemed to be unsuitable, she was instructed by Mr. Sparfven to rent space at the 1920 Mineral Spring Avenue location and to do so under the alias Joyce Silva. She testified that she leased the space at the Mineral Spring Avenue location approximately one month before the robberies. According to Elaine's trial testimony, at some point in the Spring of 2002 she realized that what was being set up was not a legitimate jewelry store. She testified that, around that same time, Mr. Sparfven outlined for her the scenario of the planned robberies and explained what her role would be with respect to same (viz., to greet the jewelry salesmen when they arrived and then to lead them from the front of the store to a back room). She further testified that, during that same period, William asked defendant to participate in the robberies, for which participation he was to receive $1,000. Elaine testified that defendant's role in the robberies was to remain in the back room of the jewelry store with William while they awaited the moment when they would beat up and rob the jewelry salesmen. Elaine testified that it was Patty Diefenderfer who gave her the materials that Elaine was to use in dressing in disguise prior to greeting the jewelry salesmen. [4] She further testified that, on the day when the planned robberies actually took place (April 25, 2002), she put on her disguise, drove with William to defendant's home, and then left for the jewelry store with defendant after switching into another vehicle. Elaine testified that it was defendant's idea to switch vehicles and take his grandfather's vehicle to the jewelry store. Elaine testified that the jewelry salesmen were scheduled to arrive at the store between noon and two o'clock in the afternoon of April 25. She further testified that, prior to the time when the jewelry salesmen were scheduled to arrive, she went into the back room where defendant and William were waiting, and she noted that they were wearing baseball hats and had covered their faces with black pantyhose. [5] According to Elaine, after the robberies took place she and her cohorts drove, in two separate vehicles, from the jewelry store to Mr. Sparfven's office. She said that, once they arrived there, Mr. Sparfven gave defendant $500; she added that William also received money from Mr. Sparfven. Elaine further testified that she saw William give defendant another $500. Elaine said that, after this meeting, William and defendant drove with her to defendant's house in order to drop off defendant and retrieve William's vehicle. Elaine next testified that she and William went to Massachusetts after the robberies. She testified that they stayed in various hotels throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and in the Boston area until their arrest on May 23, 2002. Elaine testified that, during that April and May period in which they were staying in various hotels, she and William remained in contact with and received money from Mr. Sparfven, which money was delivered to them by Patty Diefenderfer.