Opinion ID: 771294
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denial of Motion to Continue Trial.

Text: 15 Wadlington next argues that the District Court erred in denying his motion to continue the trial following the return of the second superseding indictment. He insists that a 30 day continuance was necessary to adjust to the new evidence against him, namely, the inculpatory testimonies of Ellis and Kelly. A district court's denial of a motion for continuance is reviewed for an abuse of discretion and will be reversed only if the movant was prejudiced thereby. See United States v. Velasquez, 141 F.3d 1280, 1282 (8 th Cir. 1998). As a general rule, motions to continue following the return of a superseding indictment are granted if the defendant is prejudiced by a lack of time to prepare to meet the new charges. United States v. Vaughn, 111 F.3d 610, 613 (8 th Cir. 1997). 16 In this case, Wadlington was not substantively affected by the new indictment. No additional charges were brought against him, and he did not have to sort through new allegations or plan for a new defense. Furthermore, the indirect effects of the new indictment, i.e., the damaging testimonies of Ellis and Kelly, could not have been cured with additional time. Having found no prejudice, we cannot conclude that the District Court erred in denying Wadlington's request for a continuance. 17