Opinion ID: 2177003
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Appellant Elliott's Argument

Text: Appellant Elliott's sole argument for reversal is that the trial court abused its discretion in denying severance because the evidence against him was de minimis when compared with that of his co-defendant. See Hawthorne v. United States, 504 A.2d 580, 585 (D.C.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 992, 107 S.Ct. 593, 93 L.Ed.2d 594 (1986). Elliott's claim is belied by the record. There was substantial evidence of Elliott's motive for committing the murder and involvement in the crime. Several witnesses testified that Elliott accused them of participating in a scheme with Kearney to rob him and threatened them for doing so. On the night of the murder, Elliott induced Kearney to go out of the house to a store, and shortly thereafter, witnesses recounted hearing gunshots and seeing Elliott running with Nero in the alley. Another witness recounted that Nero shot Kearney in the alley about that time. Later, Elliott asked Nero and Melvin Smith if they [d]id him, and Smith offered to take Elliott to him. Elliott then confirmed what Nero had said about what Elliott would pay Nero for the crime. Elliott said, Kill him for 50 of the rock, 50 of the crack. Given the strength of this evidence against him, appellant Elliott cannot meet the standard for demonstrating manifest prejudice based upon a claim that the evidence against, him was de minimis when compared with that of his co-defendant. See Russell v. United States, 586 A.2d 695, 698 (D.C.1991); Hawthorne, supra, 504 A.2d at 585. For the foregoing reasons, the judgments of convictions are Affirmed.         -47