State v. Bell

In State v. Bell, 188 Conn. 406 A.2d 356 (1982), the accused was charged with two separate robberies and escape from custody; the charges were tried together. The Court concluded that the evidence of escape from custody properly was admitted "to show consciousness of guilt." Id., at 412. "It is well established that flight of a person accused of a crime is an element which, when considered with other facts of the case, is relevant to the accused's guilt." Id. The court concluded that no manifest injustice or abuse of discretion occurred when the evidence was admitted. The court stated that the evidence was not being offered to prove a crime but to demonstrate consciousness of guilt and charged "that guilt of one offense did not necessarily prove guilt of other offenses." Id.