Opinion ID: 1423616
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Franklin's Separate Claims of Error

Text: Franklin moved the trial court to sever counts because Woodard was charged with many more counts than she. The court acknowledged she was not charged in all counts, but determined that Franklin would not be unfairly prejudiced by the joinder because all the charges arose out of a similar series of acts or scheme, giving a specific statement of reasons as follows: RCr 6.20 allows joinder where Defendants are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions constituting an offense or offenses. While it is true that Defendant Woodard is charged with more crimes in both indictments, both Defendants are charged with similar crimes arising out of a series of acts. Both Defendants allegedly participated in sexual offenses against the same victims; the offenses occurred either at Defendants' karate studio or their home and most of the offenses occurred in the presence of both Defendants; all of the victims were students of the Defendants. The pattern of conduct toward each victim is similar, involved both Defendants to some extent, and are intertwined. The trial court's reasons are cogent and in conformity with the law. Ware v. Commonwealth, 537 S.W.2d 174 (Ky.1976). The court did not abuse its discretion.
Franklin's argument appears to be that she was prejudiced when the trial court granted the Commonwealth's motion to prohibit witnesses from offering opinions that prior abuse investigations were unsubstantiated, although she also argues that this foreclosed her from determining how the witnesses' statements may have changed over time. However, defense witnesses were allowed to testify that prior investigations had been made and that no charges were filed as a result of the investigations. Wisely understanding that the term unsubstantiated could be interpreted to mean that the claims were false, which would be a statement of belief as to whether the claimants were telling the truth, the trial court granted the Commonwealth's motion to exclude such an opinion question. This question would have violated KRE 602, which prohibits a witness from testifying about matters on which he or she has no personal knowledge. The trial court was correct.
Franklin argues that all the alleged errors in the trial have such a negative cumulative effect that her convictions and sentence must be set aside. Having found no error, this argument fails. Consequently, there being no error on the part of the trial court, the convictions and sentences of the Appellants are affirmed. LAMBERT, C.J.; CUNNINGHAM, McANULTY, MINTON, and SCHRODER, JJ., concur. SCOTT, J., concurs in result only.