Opinion ID: 402152
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Misjoinder and Prejudicial Joinder.

Text: 107 Phillips argues that counts five and six were misjoined with counts one through four under Fed.R.Crim.P. 8(a) and that the joinder was prejudicial. 108 Phillips urges several factual differences between the allegations in the two sets of counts. We conclude there was enough similarity between these counts to sustain the joinder under rule 8(a). The modus operandi of the two sets of offenses need not be identical for them to be of the same or similar character. 109 Phillips also alleges prejudice resulted from the trial court's refusal to sever these counts during trial. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 14. First, he argues that the complexity of the case and the number of counts-considering the incorporation of original counts three through one hundred and sixty-one into count two-imposed a prejudicial emotional and financial burden on him. However, he fails to suggest a single prejudicial effect of this burden. 110 Phillips also urges that the jury could not separate the evidence pertaining to the various counts. Phillips suggests that evidence admitted only to show his guilt on certain counts spilled over in the minds of the jury and was used against him under other counts. However, as this court stated in United States v. Bowman, 602 F.2d 160, 163 (8th Cir. 1979), when conviction of the offense described in a joined count would be admissible to show an element of the other offense-in this case, fraudulent intent- 'criminal propensity' prejudice is in no way enlarged by joinder. We cannot overturn a refusal to sever simply because evidence against a defendant on one count is stronger than evidence against him on other joined counts. Cf. United States v. Jackson, 549 F.2d 517, 525 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 985, 97 S.Ct. 1682, 52 L.Ed.2d 379, 431 U.S. 923, 97 S.Ct. 2195, 53 L.Ed.2d 236, 431 U.S. 968, 97 S.Ct. 2928, 53 L.Ed.2d 1064 (1977). But even if Phillips could show jury confusion, he could not prove that he was prejudiced thereby because the evidence against him on each count was overwhelming. 111