People v. Edwards

Ernest Edwards was jury-convicted of *553second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Robert Stevens.

At trial, one of Edwards’ witnesses sought to testify that Chester Blake, then deceased, had told him that he (Blake) killed Stevens. The trial court sustained the prosecutor’s objection and asked the jury to disregard the testimony.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.1

We hold that the proffered hearsay evidence was admissible as a declaration against penal interest and reverse and remand for a new trial.

I

Harold Napora and Stevens (the victim) spent the evening of April 23, 1971…