Opinion ID: 654260
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Freeman's Motion to Sever

Text: 88 Freeman argues that the district court erred in denying his motion to sever his trial from Netters' trial. We review a district court's decision as to whether to sever pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 14 for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Cuozzo, 962 F.2d 945, 949 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 475, 121 L.Ed.2d 381 (1992); United States v. Unruh, 855 F.2d 1363, 1374 (9th Cir.1987), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 974, 109 S.Ct. 513, 102 L.Ed.2d 548 (1988). 89 Freeman bears the burden of proving that the joint trial caused such clear, manifest, or undue prejudice that he was denied a fair trial. SeeCuozzo, 962 F.2d at 950. The court's prejudice inquiry focuses on 'whether the jury can reasonably be expected to compartmentalize the evidence as it relates to separate defendants in light of its volume and limited admissibility.'  Unruh, 855 F.2d at 1374 (quoting United States v. Ramirez, 710 F.2d 535, 546 (9th Cir.1983)). 90 A joint trial was particularly appropriate in this case because conspiracy was charged. SeeUnited States v. Hernandez, 952 F.2d 1110, 1114 (9th Cir.1991), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 334, 121 L.Ed.2d 252 (1992). As Freeman was charged with both conspiracy and aiding and abetting, it was necessary for the jury to consider evidence of and understand the conduct for which Netters was charged. 91 Moreover, the jury could reasonably have been expected to compartmentalize the evidence as the individuals who were involved with and testified to the events in 1986, with which Freeman was concerned, were different from the individuals who were involved with and testified to the events of 1988. The Government took care to present the evidence and testimony in a manner that would highlight the distinction between the 1986 and 1988 activities. The fact that almost a full year elapsed between the end of the alleged 1986 Hobbs Act conspiracy in December 1986, and the beginning of Netters' activities concerning AB 4203 in January 1988, also facilitated the jury's ability to compartmentalize the evidence. 92 Most important, the district court repeatedly instructed the jury during the trial as to which testimony was admissible only against Netters, which testimony was admissible only against Freeman, and which testimony was admissible against both men. At the conclusion of the trial, the district court again instructed the jurors: 93 Even though more than one defendant is on trial, you have to consider the evidence as to each defendant separately. In deciding whether the Government has proven its case against a defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, you cannot consider evidence which was admitted only against someone else. 94 Jury instruction # 8. 95 A separate crime is charged in each count of the indictment. Each charge and the evidence having to do with that charge must be considered separately. Just because you find the defendants guilty or not guilty of one of the offenses charged should not affect your decision on any other count. 96 Jury instruction # 4. 97 [W]here, as here, the district court uses great diligence in instructing the jury to separate the evidence, severance is unnecessary because the prejudicial effects of the evidence of codefendants are 'neutralized.'  United States v. Patterson, 819 F.2d 1495, 1503 (9th Cir.1987); see alsoUnited States v. Conners, 825 F.2d 1384, 1391 (9th Cir.1987); United States v. Polizzi, 801 F.2d 1543, 1554 (9th Cir.1986); United States v. Douglass, 780 F.2d 1472, 1479 (9th Cir.1986). Thus, we conclude that the district court's denial of Freeman's motion to sever was not an abuse of discretion. 98