State v. Mitchell - Consider the facts and evidence of that case, with the following additional considerations and provide a response:

Joe has been charged with only one count, first degree murder. No conspiracy count is included. Prosecution offers testimony of the bartender at the Silver Dollar Bar that Ms. Porter's handyman, George Tomas, was in on September 13. The bartender would testify that Tomas mentioned that he had some extra cash to spend because he had been paid "a small bundle" to leave the ladder down on the fire escape at Porter's "a couple days ago. God knows why." Tomas died last winter.

How would you argue for the admissibility of Tomas's statement?