Opinion ID: 282140
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Capaldo's Grand Jury Testimony

Text: 8 Appellant claims that his grand jury testimony, part of which was introduced at trial, was obtained in violation of his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and his Sixth Amendment right to counsel because he was a 'de facto' defendant at the time of the hearing and because he was not permitted to have counsel with him during the hearing. We disagree. This court has long followed the rule that the Fifth Amendment does not prohibit potential or de facto defendants from being summoned before a grand jury. See, e.g., United States v. Winter, 348 F.2d 204, 207-208 (2 Cir. 1965); United States v. Pappadio, 346 F.2d 5 (2 Cir. 1965). 9 Appearing before a grand jury is not inherently coercive. United States v. Cleary, 265 F.2d 459, 462 (2 Cir.), cert. denied, 360 U.S. 936, 79 S.Ct. 1458, 3 L.Ed.2d 1548 (1959). The facts in this case indicate that Capaldo's testimony was completely voluntary. When he appeared on April 11, 1967, he was told of the nature of the grand jury proceeding, that he was a potential defendant, that he had a right to remain silent and that his testimony would be recorded and could be used against him. A properly called and fully warned witness cannot complain about a statement voluntarily given; having chosen to tell his story he cannot later complain of his failure to assert his privilege to remain silent. Cf. United States v. Winter, 348 F.2d 204, 210-211 (2 Cir. 1965). 10 Likewise, Capaldo's Sixth Amendment right to counsel claim is without merit. Rule 6(d) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure prohibits defense counsel from entering the grand jury room during the hearing. Capaldo was told, however, that he had a right to counsel and that he would be permitted to consult with counsel immediately outside the grand jury room whenever he so desired. Capaldo chose to proceed without counsel. Having done so he cannot now complain that he has been deprived of his Sixth Amendment rights. The Supreme Court has held that a witness before a grand jury is not entitled to representation by counsel. In re Goban, 352 U.S. 330, 333, and dissenting opinion id. at 346-347 (1957). See also United States v. Scully, 225 F.2d 113, 116 (2 Cir. 1955). We think that the rule under which appellant was free to leave the grand jury room at any time to consult with counsel is a reasonable and workable accommodation of the traditional investigatory role of the grand jury, preserved in the Fifth Amendment, and the self-incrimination and right to counsel provisions of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. 11 Appellant further claims that the trial court erred in permitting the prosecution to read to the jury certain inculpatory portions of his grand jury testimony while denying defense counsel's request that other, exculpatory portions also be read. The rule, stated in United States v. Rosenblum, 339 F.2d 473, 475 (2 Cir. 1964), is that the prosecution is not required to offer the defendant's entire grand jury testimony so long as 'the statements admitted are given sufficiently in their context so as not to confuse the trier.' See also United States v. Johnson, 165 F.2d 42, 48 (3 Cir. 1947). 12 The portions of Capaldo's grand jury testimony read by the prosecution dealt with Capaldo's claims of alibi and his denial of having made admissions to the Longos and Miss Hansen. Included in this testimony were references to Capaldo's purchase of horses, saddles and a diamond ring for his girl friend. The portions which appellant sought unsuccessfully to have read related to his claim that he had borrowed money from his co-defendant Ursini. While the statements which defense counsel sought to have admitted were not totally unrelated to those admitted, they were not essential to a fair and impartial understanding of the statements read. We think that the trial court was well within its discretion in excluding those parts of the grand jury testimony offered by the defendant. 13 b. Ursini's Grand Jury Testimony 14 When appellant attempted to call the co-defendant Ursini to testify as part of his case, Ursini's objection was sustained. Appellant then offered a portion of Ursini's grand jury testimony in which Ursini admitted lending money to appellant. Assuming, arguendo, that a declaration against one's penal interest, if colorably trustworthy, should be admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule, we find that it was not error for the trial judge to exclude this testimony, as it was neither against Ursini's interest when made nor sufficiently trustworthy to come under such an exception. C. Other Evidentiary Rulings 15 As part of the government's proof of sudden acquisition of wealth, it called Michael Guarini who testified that Capaldo had paid him for a motor job shortly after the robbery in new five and ten dollar bill. Guarini had turned this money over to the police. It appears that testimony with respect to whether these were consecutively numbered bills or whether they were identified as part of the 'bait-money' (money known to have been taken from the bank) was presented in a somewhat confusing manner. It is apparent, however, that appellant was in no way prejudiced by this evidence, since the jury's inquiry about 'bait-money' during deliberations and answered categorically in his favor. 16 We also find that the trial court acted within its discretion in refusing appellant's request for more time to bring in evidence as to Longo's credibility, in view of its doubtful admissibility and the extensive cross-examination of Longo on the same subject. 17 We have examined the other claims of error in evidentiary rulings and find them to be without merit.