Opinion ID: 452173
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Remaining Assignments of Error

Text: 60 (A) Motions for severance 61 Meester, Tumulty and Sawyer assert that the district court abused its discretion in denying their motions for a severance. They primarily argue that they were prejudiced by the spill-over effect of evidence against other defendants. Tumulty sought a severance of counts and defendants. Relying on her reasoning that the evidence proved multiple conspiracies to import and possess, she claims that the evidence did not substantiate the participation of each defendant in all phases of the smuggling operation. This failure to sever, she says, resulted in an implication of guilt. 62 Fed.R.Crim.P. 8(b), 14 rather than 8(a), governs joinder in cases of multiple defendants. United States v. Butera, 677 F.2d 1376, 1384 (11th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 1108, 103 S.Ct. 735, 74 L.Ed.2d 958 (1983). Joinder under Rule 8(b) is proper where the indictment charges the defendants with participation in a single conspiracy and further charges some but not all of the defendants with substantive counts arising out of the conspiracy. Alvarez, 755 F.2d at 857; United States v. Zielie, 734 F.2d 1447, 1463 (11th Cir.1984), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 957, 83 L.Ed.2d 964 (1985). As a general rule, defendants jointly indicted should be tried together in the interest of judicial economy. United States v. Sans, 731 F.2d 1521, 1533 (11th Cir.1984), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 791, 83 L.Ed.2d 785 (1985). Even if joinder under Rule 8(b) is proper, however, severance may be granted in the discretion of the trial court pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 14 15 if the court determines that prejudice will result from the joinder. Alvarez, 755 F.2d at 857; Zielie, 734 F.2d at 1464. Denial of a motion for severance is reviewable only for abuse of discretion. Id. 63 In order to demonstrate an abuse of discretion, the appellant must show compelling prejudice arising from the decision not to sever. Id. See also Sans, 731 F.2d at 1533; Badolato, 701 F.2d at 923. Compelling prejudice has been defined by this circuit as the jury's inability to separately appraise the evidence as to each defendant and render a fair and impartial verdict. Marszalkowski, 669 F.2d at 660. To establish prejudice resulting from the spill-over effect, the appellants would have to demonstrate the jury's inability to make an individualized determination as to each defendant. It is not enough to show that acquittal would have been more likely had the defendant been tried separately. Some degree of bias is inherent in a joint trial. Alvarez, 755 F.2d at 857. Furthermore, demonstrating that the evidence was stronger against a co-defendant does not satisfy the burden. United States v. Johnson, 713 F.2d 633, 640 (11th Cir.1983), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 104 S.Ct. 1447, 79 L.Ed.2d 766 (1984). The fact that every member of the conspiracy was not present at every stage of the conspiracy is not such a disparity in the evidence as would confuse the jury. Id. An instruction that the jury should consider the case against each defendant separately limits the likelihood of a spill-over effect. Id. 64 In this case, the trial involved only five defendants and the evidence was presented in four days. The trial court instructed the jury to consider each defendant and each charge separately. Record, Vol. 6, at 52. The jury deliberated over nine hours before reaching its verdict. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that none of the appellants has made the requisite showing of compelling prejudice. 65 (B) Motions for recusal 66 Prior to the trial, Meester and Tumulty filed motions seeking to disqualify the trial judge. The district court denied the motions. Meester's motion alleged bias, prejudice and lack of impartiality on the part of the district judge because of a phone call made by him to Meester's surety after Judy Haas McNelis, Meester's sister, escaped from jail. The judge is reported to have stated that he had information of Meester's planned failure to appear for trial and that he was having her watched by the FBI. Meester also claimed that the judge's actions during the trial, particularly his denial of her motion for disclosure of any electronic surveillance of communications between Meester and her attorney, further established the requisite bias. Tumulty's motion was based on the trial court's denial of her motions for reduction of bond. She attacked as improper the court's in camera review of evidence presented by the government in opposition to her motions. 67 The motions to recuse were predicated on two statutes which govern the recusal of federal district judges on the grounds of bias, prejudice or lack of impartiality. 28 U.S.C. Secs. 144, 455. 16 It is well established that an allegation of bias sufficient to require disqualification under either section 144 or section 455 must demonstrate that the alleged bias is personal as opposed to judicial in nature. United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d 971, 1002 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S.Ct. 2965, 73 L.Ed.2d 1354; 459 U.S. 906, 103 S.Ct. 208, 74 L.Ed.2d 166 (1982); Phillips v. Joint Legislative Committee, 637 F.2d 1014, 1020 (5th Cir. Unit A 1981), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 960, 102 S.Ct. 2035, 72 L.Ed.2d 483 (1982). The alleged bias must stem from an extrajudicial source and result in an opinion on the merits on some basis other than what the judge learned from his participation in the case. United States v. Clark, 605 F.2d 939, 942 (5th Cir.1979) (per curiam). Thus, a motion for disqualification may not ordinarily be based on the judge's rulings in the same case. United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d at 1002-03; Phillips, 637 F.2d at 1020. An exception to the general rule that the bias must stem from an extrajudicial source exists where such pervasive bias and prejudice is shown by otherwise judicial conduct as would constitute bias against a party. Davis v. Board of School Commissioners, 517 F.2d 1044, 1051 (5th Cir.1975), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 944, 96 S.Ct. 1685, 48 L.Ed.2d 188 (1976). 68 Here, neither appellant has demonstrated the requisite personal bias. The trial judge learned of McNelis's escape in his capacity as presiding judge. He responded to the escape in a manner designed to ensure Meester's appearance in court. His comments to Meester's bondsman were of a judicial, rather than a personal, nature. Meester's accusations of personal bias are undercut by the fact that the judge allowed her to remain free on appeal bond and granted her post-trial request for permission to travel. The judge's denial of her motion for disclosure of electronic surveillance likewise does not support a finding of personal bias because, again, he acted on the motion in his capacity as presiding judge. 69 Tumulty's factual allegations also do not raise an inference of personal bias or prejudice. Rather than seek prompt appellate review with respect to the trial court's in camera review of the evidence, Tumulty filed a motion to disqualify the judge. The factual allegations of her affidavit, which we must accept as true, show that the judge received the information in his judicial capacity. Accordingly, she has failed to show bias stemming from an extrajudicial source. See United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d at 1003. Tumulty also failed to comply with the timeliness requirement of section 144. The trial commenced on October 11, 1983. Tumulty filed her motion on October 7, 1983. From these facts, we cannot say that the district judge abused his discretion in denying the recusal motions. 70 (C) Sentence review 71 Meester challenges her sentence on the ground that it is unclear whether she was sentenced to ten years of actual confinement before becoming eligible for parole or to ten years with parole eligibility at the completion of one-third that term. See 18 U.S.C. Sec. 4205(a) (prisoner eligible for release on parole after serving one-third of term). A sentence  'should reveal with fair certainty the intent of the court and exclude any serious misapprehensions by those who must execute them. The elimination of every possible doubt cannot be demanded.'  Montos v. Smith, 406 F.2d 1243, 1246 (5th Cir.1969) (quoting United States v. Daugherty, 269 U.S. 360, 363, 46 S.Ct. 156, 157, 70 L.Ed. 309, 313 (1926)). In determining the terms of the sentence, the intent of the sentencing judge is controlling and that intent is ascertained by reference to the entire record. United States v. Purcell, 715 F.2d 561, 563 (11th Cir.1983) (citations omitted). 72 In pronouncing sentence in open court, the court stated: 73 I'm going to impose on each and everyone of you the maximum sentence of imprisonment and fine on each and every count to run consecutive until the following totals are reached. As to Mr. Haas, 20 years, a $100,000 fine to be followed by a special parole term of 10 years. When the total is reached, then the sentences run concurrently. On Ms. Tumulty, 20 years, $100,000 fine, special parole term of 10 years. Ms. Meester, 10 years, a $5,000 fine, special parole term of 5 years. 74 Record, Vol. 6 at 90-91. The written judgment and commitment order provided the maximum terms of imprisonment for the various counts. Service of these sentences was to run consecutively until a total confinement of TEN (10) YEARS is reached; thereafter, counts shall run concurrently, for a total sentence of TEN (10) YEARS confinement, a fine of FIVE THOUSAND ($5,000.00) DOLLARS and a Special Parole Term of FIVE (5) YEARS. Record, Vol. 2, at 492. From these recitations, it is evident that the trial judge clearly intended to sentence Meester to a prison term of ten years. Under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 4205(a), she will be eligible for release on parole after serving one-third of this sentence. There is no merit to her argument that her sentence is unconstitutionally excessive. 75 The judgments of conviction are AFFIRMED.