Case Name: STATE of Louisiana, Plaintiff-Relator, v. William C. AVERY, Defendant-Respondent
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1989-07-24
Citations: 548 So. 2d 85
Docket Number: No. K89-772
Parties: STATE of Louisiana, Plaintiff-Relator, v. William C. AVERY, Defendant-Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 548
Pages: 85–86

Head Matter:
STATE of Louisiana, Plaintiff-Relator, v. William C. AVERY, Defendant-Respondent.
No. K89-772.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.
July 24, 1989.
James Spruel, Jr., Gray, Spruel & Burks, Lake Charles, for William C. Avery.
Annette Fuller Roach, Asst. Dist. Atty., Lake Charles, for State.

Opinion:
ORDER
WRIT GRANTED AND MADE PEREMPTORY:
Under the aggregate punishment rule, relator is entitled to a jury trial since the potential aggregate punishment for the charged offense exceeds six months. State v. Williams, 404 So.2d 954 (La.1981). The granting of a motion to consolidate lies within the discretion of the trial judge. However, it is an abuse of discretion to refuse to order consolidation unless the state demonstrates a legitimate prosecuto-rial end in opposing consolidation. La.C. Cr.P. art. 706; State v. Comeaux, 408 So.2d 1099 (La.1981). Depriving an accused of a jury trial is not a legitimate prosecutorial end. State v. Comeaux, supra; State v. Jones, 396 So.2d 1272 (La.1981). See also State v. Wallace, 539 So.2d 123 (La.App. 2 Cir.1989). Therefore, the trial judge erred in denying relator's motion for consolidation solely for the purpose of preventing relator from having a jury trial. This case is remanded to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this order.