State v. Traynham

Summary

The court affirmed the defendant’s convictions, holding that the trial court properly admitted an accomplice’s statements to two trusted acquaintances under the statement-against-penal-interest hearsay exception. The statements were sufficiently trustworthy because they were made voluntarily and shortly after the crimes, were corroborated by substantial trial evidence, and exposed the accomplice to liability for the same types of crimes despite any effort to minimize his role.