Delaware County Daily Times - May 18, 2001 Article

Prison informant: I dropped dime for coffee, sugar

Delaware County Daily Times (Primos - Upper Darby, PA) - Friday, May 18, 2001

Author: MARLENE DiGIACOMO ; Of the Times Staff

MEDIA COURTHOUSE -- Jailhouse ‘‘lawyer'' and snitch Vincent Card said he agreed to be paid with coffee and sugar as ‘‘more or less an attorney's fee'' for typing for accused baby killer Robert Rivera .

But the witness said he got more than he bargained for when Rivera confessed to his daughter's killing.

‘‘I lost it. I did it. I killed Katelyn ,'' Card, 40, quoted Rivera as saying in a jailhouse conversation around April 26, 2000.

Making a return appearance at Rivera 's pre-trial hearing, Card said he was stunned when the defendant blurted out that he had killed his daughter, Katelyn Rivera -Helton.

Rivera will be tried later on charges he kidnapped the 20-month-old girl on Aug. 10, 1999 and killed her. The child's body has not been found. She has not been seen alive since her father abducted her 21 months ago.

‘‘I almost choked on hard candy,'' said Card, regarding his reaction to Rivera 's admission. ‘‘I didn't expect this guy to confess to me.''

Unshaven and disheveled-looking, Card is among several prisoners who have testified at various pre-trial proceedings regarding incriminating statements they allege were made by Rivera , 34, of Upper Chichester.

Rivera appeared to have gained weight and had a fully-grown beard as he was back in court yesterday for Card's testimony.

The witness said he was in Delaware County's prison on assault and related charges when he struck up his conversation with the defendant. Card had first been called to the stand Jan. 16 and returned yesterday on a motion by defense attorney G. Guy Smith. Smith wanted some fine points clarified.

Smith is seeking to have Card's testimony about Rivera 's confession barred from his upcoming trial. The attorney contends the witness was a paid prison informant, who had provided information to authorities on bikers and others over the past three years.

Card denied he asked Rivera any questions before he confessed. ‘‘It was a very awkward moment,'' said Card.

In answer to questions from Assistant District Attorney John F.X. Reilly, Card said Rivera 's admissions were made ‘‘spontaneously.''

The witness said he was told by Rivera that he killed Katelyn and why he killed Katelyn . He said in subsequent meetings he asked how.

Card was not allowed to state what he was told regarding "why" and "how."

Judge Charles C. Keeler has a bevy of motions to decide, and no trial date has been set. Among the issues is whether Rivera 's statements to Card and other prisoners were legally obtained and can be admitted at trial.

Card, who served as a jailhouse ‘‘lawyer'' and typist while at the prison, said he agreed to handle the typing of documents for Rivera in return for ‘‘a bag of coffee and a box of sugar.''

At the previous hearing, testimony was presented that state police put in a good word for Card so that he could work in the prison library. Card admitted that while he was providing information to state police on various criminal activities, he received money in the form of "vouchers'' to purchase items in prison.

The witness denied he was specifically set up to elicit information from Rivera . He said, rather, that Rivera had sought somebody to type information and when Card learned about the need, he volunteered.

Reilly contends the incriminating statement was a ‘‘blurt out'' by Rivera and it should be admitted at trial.

Rivera remained calmer than he did four months ago. After Card's first testimony in January, as Rivera was being escorted out of the courtroom he yelled an obscenity back at Card. Card retorted with a similar epithet.

To contact Marlene DiGiacomo, e-mail mdigiacomo@delcotimes.com