Opinion ID: 1657407
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: The Impact on the Victims

Text: In our analysis of this factor, we have considered the impact on both the victim of the crime as well as the trauma to the eyewitnesses who would be compelled to testify at multiple trials. See State v. Powers, 654 N.W.2d 667, 675 (Minn.2003). While Rule 17.03, subd. 2(1), does not explicitly include the impact on the eyewitnesses to the crime, we nevertheless conclude that, while close, this factor favored joinder. Two of the witnesses were young children who saw the shooting and watched their young friend and cousin die. We agree with the district court that subjecting these children to giving testimony at separate trials for Blanche and Bernard would have been unduly harsh. Moreover, these two witnesses, only by chance, avoided being shot themselves. Our conclusion here does not suggest that this factor should be swallowed by considerations of eyewitness convenience; we only conclude that in a case like this one, where the eyewitnesses were vulnerable and could be traumatized by having to testify at several trials, a court may consider the potential trauma to the eyewitness.