Giles v. California

Citation

554 U.S. 353 (2008)

Facts

Stub — to be completed.

Issue

Stub — to be completed.

Holding

Stub — to be completed.

Rule

The forfeiture-by-wrongdoing exception to the Confrontation Clause applies only when the defendant engaged in the wrongful conduct with the purpose of preventing the witness from testifying; mere killing that happens to silence a witness is insufficient.

Significance

Narrowed the forfeiture-by-wrongdoing exception; defendant must have intended to silence the witness, not just caused their unavailability.

Courses