Brooks v. State

The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying severance, as there was not a clear showing that a joint trial would lead to prejudice and consequent denial of due process.

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After a joint jury trial, Kevin Dale Brooks was convicted of armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, two counts of false imprisonment, and possession of cocaine, and Brian Jones was convicted of armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, two counts of false imprisonment, and theft by taking. The trial court denied the appellants’ motions for new trial, and they filed these appeals, which we review together.

Brooks argues that the evidence does not support the convictions, but we find that the evidence was sufficient. Brooks also argues that his convictions must be reversed because certain witnesses perjured themselves, but he has failed to show perjury. Brooks further argues that his convictions must be reversed because after his trial, one of the police officers who testified against him was convicted of making false statements, but the officer’s conviction was not in any way related to her testimony at Brooks’s trial. Jones argues that his convictions must be reversed because the indictment on which they are based is void, but Jones waived this argument by failing to timely raise it. Jones also argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion for mistrial, but we find that the court did not abuse his discretion in admonishing the prosecutor rather than granting a mistrial. Jones further argues that the trial court should have granted his motion to sever, but we find that the trial court did not abuse his discretion in denying the motion. Both defendants argue that they received ineffective assistance of counsel, but we find that neither has shown both harm and prejudice. We therefore affirm the convictions.

Brooks v. State

The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying severance, as there was not a clear showing that a joint trial would lead to prejudice and consequent denial of due process.

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