§ 53a-151a — Intimidating a witness: Class B felony.

Connecticut § 53a-151a

• Jurisdiction: Connecticut
• Title 53a: Penal Code
• Ch. 952: Penal Code: Offenses

Text

(a) A person is guilty of intimidating a witness when, believing that an official proceeding is pending or about to be instituted, such person uses, attempts to use or threatens the use of physical force against a witness or another person with intent to (1) influence, delay or prevent the testimony of the witness in the official proceeding, or (2) induce the witness to testify falsely, withhold testimony, elude legal process summoning the witness to testify or absent himself or herself from the official proceeding. (b) Intimidating a witness is a class B felony.

Legislative History

(P.A. 99-240, S. 1; P.A. 17-24, S. 1.) History: P.A. 17-24 amended Subsec. (b) to change intimidating a witness from a class C felony to a class B felony. The phrase “believing that an official proceeding is pending or about to be instituted” is satisfied as long as the defendant believes that an official proceeding will probably occur, and it does not matter whether an official proceeding is actually pending or is about to be instituted. 321 C. 729. Jury reasonably could have concluded that Facebook messages sent to witness by defendant forecasted future physical harm and were sent with the intent to influence, delay or prevent testimony at an official proceeding. 152 CA 590.