Opinion ID: 398632
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: severance of bulman's trial

Text: 12 Bulman also contends that his trial should have been severed from that of the other defendants. He bears the burden of showing specific and compelling prejudice that would warrant reversal of the district court for abuse of its discretion in deciding whether to sever. United States v. Hewitt, 663 F.2d 1381, 1388-89 (11th Cir. 1981); United States v. Ocanas, 628 F.2d 353, 359 (5th Cir. 1980), cert. denied, 451 U.S. 984, 101 S.Ct. 2316, 68 L.Ed.2d 840 (1981); United States v. Wolford, 614 F.2d 516, 518 (5th Cir. 1980). 13 Bulman admits that there was no specific and compelling instance of prejudice at his trial. He argues, however, apparently inviting this Court to change its reviewing standard, that a combination of factors, taken together, required severance. We see no reason to change our standard of review. Moreover, his claims are without merit. Bulman begins by baldly asserting that the evidence showed two conspiracies, with the first, ending May 19, having nothing to do with him. He does not support his assertion and our own examination of the record indicates to us that there was only one conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana, which Bulman did not join until May 21. Bulman also asserts that his defense was not consistent with that of other defendants: the others asserted that their only agreement was with a government agent, which they asserted was not a crime, while Bulman's defense was that he was a party to no agreement at all. Bulman does not explain the inconsistency between his defense and that of the others, nor does he show how the differences in the defenses prejudiced him. That others were asserting that they had made agreements, of whatever kind, did not contradict Bulman's assertions that he was a party to no agreement himself, regardless of what agreements the others may have had. Bulman's final assertions are that the joint trial prevented his use of certain evidence, though he gives no particular examples, and that the evidence of other defendants' involvement with drugs prejudiced him. Again, he does not explain the nature of the harm to his case and we can find no significant prejudice. The district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to sever his trial.