Opinion ID: 1908448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Joinder For Trial

Text: [¶ 9] Steven first argues that the court's order that joined his trial with his brother's was an abuse of discretion because there were no changed circumstances from the time the court had denied a motion for joinder for the trials of the Bouchers and Abbott. M.R.Crim.P. 8(d) provides: If it appears that a defendant or the state is prejudiced by a joinder of offenses or of defendants in an indictment, information or complaint or by such joinder for trial together, the court may order an election or separate trials of counts, grant a severance of defendants or provide whatever other relief justice requires; including ordering multiple simultaneous trials. In making a determination on a Rule 8(d) motion, the court must balance the general policy in favor of joint trials against the prejudice to a defendant which may result. 1 Cluchey & Seitzinger, Maine Criminal Practice § 8.9 at III-65 (1995). The decision on whether to sever a trial of one defendant from another lies in the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Knight, 623 A.2d 1292, 1294 (Me.1993). The party moving for a severance bears the significant burden of showing facts to the trial court prior to trial that would convince the court that the party would be prejudiced by a joint trial. State v. Smith, 415 A.2d 553, 556 (Me.1980). [¶ 10] Although Steven made a clear showing of facts that Bruton issues would be raised at trial, the court acted within its discretion in granting the joinder and denying Steven's subsequent motion to sever. The State, by completely redacting any direct or indirect reference to Steven, could have presented Scott's confessions in a manner that was constitutionally sound and that avoided prejudice to Steven. The court explicitly considered this possibility when ruling on Steven's motion to sever the trials. Because Steven made no other assertion of prejudice that would result from the joinder for trial, he failed to meet his burden pursuant to Smith, and thus, the court acted within its discretion when it ordered the joinder. [2]