Opinion ID: 1222093
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Sever Trial of Co-Defendants

Text: Defendant Johnson contends that his right to a fair trial was prejudiced by his joint trial with the defendant Jones. We disagree. There being no claim that the joint trial involved evidence admissible against only one of the defendants, the matter of severance was left to the discretion of the trial court. See section 16-7-101, C.R.S.1973; People v. Maestas, 183 Colo. 378, 517 P.2d 461 (1973). There were only two defendants in this case, the evidence against each was substantially identical, and the trial was relatively brief and uncomplicated. Defendant Johnson did not run the risk of jury confusion as to the incriminating evidence in the case. Moreover, the trial court specifically found that the defenses present were not antagonistic. Severance is to be based upon a finding of prejudice rather than simply the differences which are incidental to any trial of more than one defendant. Compare Eder v. People, 179 Colo. 122, 498 P.2d 945 (1972) (prejudice found); with People v. Maestas, supra (no prejudice found). See also American Bar Association Standards Relating to Joinder and Severance § 2.3(b) and Comment (1968). The trial court did not abuse its discretion, and no denial of fundamental fairness occurred which would constitute a denial of due process. We find the defendants' remaining contentions to be without merit. Accordingly, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.