Opinion ID: 2051949
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: consolidation of informations

Text: Andersen next claims the trial court erred in granting the State's motion to consolidate five informations for trial. All of the charges alleged Andersen committed improper sexual contact at his home with three preteenage boys. There was similarity of time, place, and acts, and all were interrelated. Moreover, each of the boys' testimony would be admissible in five separate trials, for corroborative purposes and to show Andersen's motive, intent, and design. A trial court's ruling on a motion for consolidation of prosecutions properly joinable will not be disturbed in the absence of an abuse of discretion. If the offenses charged are of the same or similar character, or are based on the same act or transaction, the offenses may be joined in one trial. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 29-2002 (Reissue 1985). The right to separate trials is statutory and depends upon a showing that prejudice will result from a joint trial. The defendant bears the burden of proving that prejudice will result from a joint trial. See, State v. Thompson, 231 Neb. 771, 438 N.W.2d 131 (1989); State v. Clark, 228 Neb. 599, 423 N.W.2d 471 (1988); State v. Vrtiska, 225 Neb. 454, 406 N.W.2d 114 (1987). After a hearing at which no evidence was presented, the trial court held that Andersen had not met his burden of proving that he would be prejudiced by the joinder. The joinder was granted. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering that five informations against the defendant be consolidated for trial.