Opinion ID: 1262738
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Heading: Motion for a Severance

Text: Boys contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a severance. We disagree. Criminal defendants who are jointly tried for murder are not entitled to separate trials as a matter of right. State v. Holland , 261 S.C. 488, 201 S.E. (2d) 118 (1973); State v. Crowe , 285 S.C. 258, 188 S.E. (2d) 379 (1972). Motions for a severance and separate trial are addressed to the discretion of the trial court. State v. Chaffee , 258 S.C. 21, 328 S.E. (2d) 464 (1984). Absent a showing of an abuse of discretion, this Court will not disturb the trial court's ruling on appeal. State v. Thompson , 279 S.C. 405, 308 S.E. (2d) 364 (1983). The evidence in the record reveals that neither defendant was prejudiced by the joint trial. Both testified that Boys shot Patrick and that Welch pushed him into the water and hit him with the shotgun. Welch's testimony did not implicate Boys any further than Boys' own testimony. Therefore, we find that the trial court did not abuse his discretion in denying the motion for a severance.