Opinion ID: 476321
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Denial of Motion for Severance

Text: 59 Appellant Gibbs filed a separate brief on appeal. He argues that the district court committed reversible error when it refused to grant his motion for a severance under Fed.R.Crim.P. 14. 17 Under Rule 14 the district court must balance the right of defendants to a fair trial against the public's interest in efficient and economic administration of justice. United States v. Hewes, 729 F.2d 1302, 1318 (11th Cir.1984), (citing United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d 971, 1016 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981)), cert. denied, sub nom., Caldwell v. U.S., 469 U.S. 1110, 105 S.Ct. 790, 83 L.Ed.2d 783 (1985). We will only reverse a district court's denial of severance under Rule 14 for an abuse of discretion. Id. (citations omitted). 60 To show that the district court abused its discretion, Gibbs must demonstrate that he suffered compelling prejudice as a result of the joint trial. United States v. Corbin, 734 F.2d 643, 648 (11th Cir.1984). Appellate courts are reluctant to second-guess a district court's refusal to grant a severance. United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d 971, 1017 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981) (citing cases), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S.Ct. 2965, 73 L.Ed.2d 1354 (1982). Finally, coconspirators should normally be tried jointly, United States v. Cole, 755 F.2d 748, 762 (11th Cir.1985). 61 In his effort to demonstrate compelling prejudice, Gibbs relies primarily on the jury's verdict. Gibbs contends that because Barnette and Allied were found guilty of the same counts as Gibbs, the jury did not separately consider the guilt of each defendant. Gibbs stated that he  'sank or swam' with Barnette and Allied. According to Gibbs, the jury's confusion was understandable as it was an extremely complex case. 62 We have, however, upheld joint trials in cases involving greater complexity than this. See e.g., United States v. Morrow, 537 F.2d 120, 136 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 956, 97 S.Ct. 1602, 51 L.Ed.2d 806 (1977). [T]he mere fact that the conspiracy involved multitudinous and complex transactions is no reason for this court to reverse the denial of the motion to sever.... United States v. Payne, 750 F.2d 844, 859 (11th Cir.1985) (quoting United States v. Wayman, 510 F.2d 1020, 1024 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 846, 96 S.Ct. 84, 46 L.Ed.2d 67 (1975)). Gibbs has not suffered compelling prejudice merely because Barnette and Allied were similarly found guilty in this complex case. 63 Barnette and Gibbs, president and vice president respectively of Allied, were shown to have participated in the various counts of the indictment in which each was named. The evidence against each was substantial. We find that Gibbs has not shown compelling prejudice. Any prejudice in the joint trial was cured by the district court's cautionary instructions. The remedy of severance is justified only if the prejudice flowing from a joint trial is clearly beyond the curative powers of a cautionary instruction. United States v. Morrow, 537 F.2d 120, 136 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 956, 97 S.Ct. 1602, 51 L.Ed.2d 806 (1977). We hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to grant a severance. 64