DocketNumber: No. CR99-155122
Citation Numbers: 2001 Conn. Super. Ct. 11356
Judges: FORD, JUDGE.
Filed Date: 8/22/2001
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/18/2021
"[W]hether to consolidate or sever the trials of defendants involved in the same criminal incident lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. . . . Ordinarily justice is better subserved where parties are tried together. . . . Joint trials of persons jointly indicted or informed against are the rule, and separate trials the exception resting in the discretion of the court. . . . A separate trial will be ordered where the defenses of the accused are antagonistic, or evidence will be introduced against one which will not be admissible against others, and it clearly appears that a joint trial will probably be prejudicial to the rights of one or more of the accused. . . . [T]he phrase prejudicial to the rights of the [accused] means something more than that a joint trial will probably be less advantageous to the accused than separate trials." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Ortiz,
"The test for the trial court is whether substantial injustice is likely to result unless a separate trial be accorded. . . . The discretion of the court is necessarily exercised before the trial begins and with reference to the situation as it then appears to the court." (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Booth,
Based on the claims and the information before the court at this time, the court finds that the defendants' defenses are not antagonistic.2 The court further finds that Royal is unlikely to be unduly prejudiced by a joint trial with Bailey and any possible prejudice during the trial can be eliminated through special instructions to the jury. Therefore, the court concludes that no substantial injustice is likely to result from a joint trial of the two defendants. Accordingly, Royal's motion to sever is denied. However, developments, evidentiary in nature may occur which may cause the court to revisit the issue.
FORD, J.