Opinion ID: 1249344
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Instruction Regarding Co-Defendant

Text: Co-defendant Davis was tried and convicted in a separate trial before defendant's trial. Defendant asserts that the jury should have been instructed as to the existence of the co-defendant and the disposition of the case against him. The trial court refused that instruction, but did instruct the jury on principles of accountability involving accomplice liability. The guilt or innocence of a co-defendant is not relevant to the issue of the guilt or innocence of the accused and is therefore properly excluded. State v. Corrales, 131 Ariz. 471, 472, 641 P.2d 1315, 1316 (App. 1982). An instruction that a co-defendant exists is likewise not relevant to the guilt or innocence of the defendant on trial. Moreover, the jury was well aware that Davis existed because defendant testified that the two of them entered the house together and that Davis admitted to murdering the victim after defendant had allegedly fled the house. We find no error.