Opinion ID: 1136816
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Severance for Exculpatory Evidence

Text: Wall argues alternatively that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to grant a severance because co-defendant Laschober possessed exculpatory information concerning Wall which could not be divulged if they were tried jointly. Laschober's counsel had previously indicated that Laschober would not take the stand if there was a joint trial. Subsequently, Wall submitted an affidavit by Laschober stating that if she were called in a court proceeding in which she was not a defendant she would be willing to testify under oath that: (1) before her arrest, she had never seen Robert Wall nor had any contact with him; and (2) she had no idea Wall was associated with her arrest in any alleged cocaine transaction. Wall also moved for an in camera hearing to disclose more particularly the exculpatory material Laschober possessed as well as her willingness to testify at a later proceeding. Both motions were denied. Relief from prejudicial joinder is discretionary with the trial judge in Alaska. [30] Criminal Rule 14 provides in pertinent part: If it appears that a defendant or the state is prejudiced by a joinder of offenses or of defendants in an indictment or information or by such joinder for trial together, the court may order an election or separate trials of counts, grant a severance of defendants, or provide whatever other relief justice requires. Under the circumstances of this case, we do not think the trial court abused its discretion. Assuming that Laschober would have been willing to testify at a separate trial, her testimony as indicated by her affidavit would have been of minimal, if any, significance. The prosecution, at trial, never attempted to show that Laschober met with Wall or knew that he was associated with the cocaine transaction. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that the seller in drug transactions is often ignorant of the identity of the source of his or her supplier. Given the marginal relevance of the proposed testimony, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for severance.