United States v. Aguilar ( 2012 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DlSTRICT OF C()LUMBIA
FILED
SEP 28 2012
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
v. Criminal Acti0n No. 08-057-13 (BJR)
JESUS ENRIQUE REJON AGUILAR,
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM ORDER
Defendant Jesus Enrique Rejon Aguilar and the United States jointly moved for joinder
of Defendants Rejon Aguilar and Aurelio Cano Flores for trial and for a continuance of the trial
currently scheduled for October 9, 2012 [Dkt. # 74]. The Govemment argued (l) that the law
presumptively favors joinder of defendants indicted together in conspiracy cases and that such a
result is appropriate here, (2) that Defendant Cano Flores has no valid basis for opposing the
motion as he will not suffer undue prejudice as a result of joinder and continuance, and (3) that a
continuance is necessary to allow counsel for Defendant Rejon Aguilar to fully prepare for trial.
Defendant Cano Flores opposed the motion arguing that there is little connection between the
two Defendants or the charges against them and that continuance is inefficient because it will
disrupt the schedules of the Court, the parties, and their attorneys. The Court, having considered
the motion, the opposition thereto, and counsels’ arguments during the hearing on September 27,
2012, finds joinder and continuance in this case both appropriate and desirable.
The Supreme Court has explained that joint trials are "vital" to the criminal justice
system, promoting efficiency and fairness Rz'chardson v. Marsh, 481 U.S. 200, 209-10 (1987).
Specitically, joint trials promote judicial efficiency and spare prosecutors the time and expense
of trying multiple cases back-to-back. Ia’. at 2l0. Joint trials also avoid the inconvenience ( and
sometimes trauma) of requiring victims and witnesses to testify repeatedly and prevent a random
advantage to the last-tried defendant who has had an opportunity to preview the government’s
case. Ia’. Finally, joint trials prevent the "scandal and inequity of inconsistent verdicts" and
enable a more accurate assessment of relative culpability. Ia’.
Thus, noting the "strong interests favoring joint trials," Unz``led Slale.s v. Ce!z'.s', 608 F.3d
818, 844 (D.C. Cir. 2010), the D.C. Circuit has explained "‘[t]he balance has been struck in favor
ofjoint trials," Unz``redStates v, Mc)ore, 651 F.3d 30, 95 (D.C. Cir. 201 l) (internal quotation
marks omitted.). Ultimately, severance is only proper if "there is a serious risk that ajoint trial
would compromise a specific trial right of one of the defendants, or prevent the jury from
making a reliable judgment about guilt or innocence. Zafz``rc) v. Um``tea’ Stales, 506 U.S. 534, 537
(1993).
Here, both Defendants have been indicted together and both charged under Count One of
the Third Superseding lndictment as being members of the same conspiracy, during the same
time period, with the same group of co-defendants, and the same criminal objectives.
The Court finds that Defendant Cano Flores has not shown any "serious risk that a joint
trial would compromise a specific trial right, or prevent the jury from making a reliable judgment
about guilt or innocence." Zq/iro, 506 U.S. at 537. While, Defendant Cano Flores suggests there
is little overlapping evidence, both Defendants are charged in the same conspiracy and, as the
Government contends, much of the evidence against both Defendants stems from a single
wiretapping operation. ln any case, Defendant Cano Flores has failed to show how he would be
prejudiced by a joint trial. Even if Aguilar is the sole target of some evidence at trial, "absent a
drarnatz``c disparity of evidence. any prejudice caused by joinder is best dealt with by instructions
to the jury to give individual consideration to each defendants." Moore, 651 F.3d at 95(emphasis in original).
The Court also finds that a joint trial will promote the interests of efficiency and fairness.
The Government has noted that several witnesses, including cooperating defendants and
witnesses residing outside the district, would be required to testify twice if j oinder is not
perinitted. Holding two inulti-week trials, in which much of the same evidence is presented, is
also not an efficient use of the Government’s or the Court’s time.
Finally, the Court finds that a continuance is appropriate here. The Court notes that
counsel for Defendant Rejon Aguilar has only represented his client for two weeks and has not
had sufficient time to discuss the case with his client, prepare for trial, or consider possible plea
options. While rescheduling a multi-week trial two weeks before the trial is set to begin is not
something the Court does lightly. circumstances in this case. and the interests of justice, require
that the continuance be granted.
For the foregoing reasons, on this 28th day of September, 2012, it is hereby
()RDERED that Defendant Rej on Aguilar and the United States’s Joint Emergency
l\/1otion to Join the Defendants for Trial and Continue the October 9, 2012 Trial [Dkt. # 74] is
GRANTED, and it is further
()RDERED that trial will begin at 9:30 a.m. on February 11, 2013.
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BARBARA J. HSTElN
LH\IITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE