Court Opinion

ID: 9544761
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:01:28.001045+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:13:35.187160
License: Public Domain

ERICKSON, Justice,
specially concurring in the result only:
I respectfully concur in the result reached by the majority, but do so for different reasons than those set forth in the majority opinion.
I disagree with the majority’s analysis of the evidentiary issue relating to the proof of conspiracy and the right to the admission of hearsay evidence. In People v. Braly, 187 Colo. 324, 532 P.2d 325 (1975), we concluded that before the hearsay statements of an alleged co-conspirator can be admitted into evidence against the defendant, the prosecution must prove the existence of the conspiracy. In Braly, supra, this Court also stated: “Although the court may, in its discretion, allow the hearsay to be introduced first, the independent proof requirement must be met before the jury may consider the hearsay statement of the alleged co-conspirator against the defendant. ...” Id. at 328-9, 532 P.2d 325. Thus, the issue here is whether there was evidence, direct or circumstantial, apart from the hearsay statements, sufficient to support a determination of the existence of the conspiracy.
The trial court found: “Well, I am going to admit the evidence because of the fact that there has been sufficient evidence to show some sort of — to show a conspiracy . .. . ” Although the trial court’s finding that evidence of a conspiracy existed came in response to defense counsel’s objection to the introduction of the weapon, this fact is not dispositive. In Braly, supra, we concluded that the court may, in its discretion, allow the hearsay to be introduced first. Accordingly, it was not error for the trial court to admit the hearsay statement of the co-conspirator against the defendant.
I agree with the majority that the trial court’s statements made in the presence of the jury regarding the court’s evidentiary conclusions do not warrant reversal. A motion for mistrial should only be granted under circumstances which demonstrate substantial and undue prejudice to the defendant. People v. Goff, 187 Colo. 103, 530 P.2d 514 (1974). Here, the jury was instructed that the rulings and orders made by the court during the trial should not be considered by the jury in arriving at its verdict. It must be presumed that the jury acted consistently with the court’s instruction. People v. Goff, supra.
I also disagree with the opinion by Justice Rovira and the assertion that there was sufficient circumstantial evidence to establish a “hard sale.” In my view, there was both direct and circumstantial evidence of a “hard sale.” Additionally, I disagree with the majority’s limitations and interpretations of our decisions in People v. Bourg, 191 Colo. 309, 552 P.2d 504 (1976); People v. Marquez, 190 Colo. 255, 546 P.2d 482 (1976); People v. Morris, 190 Colo. 215, 545 P.2d 151 *1314(1976); People v. Patterson, 187 Colo. 431, 532 P.2d 342 (1975); and People v. Bowers, 187 Colo. 233, 530 P.2d 1282 (1975).
Accordingly, I concur in the result.