Opinion ID: 608147
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Denial of Macko's Motion to Sever

Text: 51 1. Standard of Review. We review the district court's refusal to sever Macko's trial for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Lopez, 898 F.2d 1505, 1510 (11th Cir.1990). To demonstrate that the district court abused its discretion, Macko must show specific and compelling prejudice against which the trial court was unable to afford protection. Id. 52 2. Analysis. Macko has failed to demonstrate specific and compelling prejudice resulting from testimony about the post-arrest statements of his codefendants. The statements were redacted to substitute indefinite pronouns or nouns for Macko's name. As the district court pointed out, several other people were involved in the Cuban cigarette project. Therefore, general references to unnamed individuals in the statements did not clearly implicate Macko. The court also properly instructed the jury not to consider the codefendants' statements with regard to the case against Macko. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Macko's motions for severance.