Federal prosecutors oppose separate trial for Baldwin woman charged in murder-for-hire plot

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The U.S. Attorney’s Office has objected to a Baldwin County woman’s request to be tried separately on murder-for-hire charges.

Judy Owen’s lawyer argues that her sister and co-defendant, Sandra Grimes, made incriminating statements about the both of them. Owen’s lawyer would not be able to cross-examine Grimes because under the Fifth Amendment, she cannot be compelled to testify.

But prosecutors, in a response filed Monday, argue that Owen has not identified the statements to explain how they are prejudicial.

“At present, defendant Owen has offered nothing more than speculation about potential prejudice in a joint trial,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Terrill wrote. “The motion contains no specific allegations to warrant severance, and mere speculation does not meet the heavy burden the defendant must bear to establish that a severance is necessary under the law of this circuit.”

Prosecutors allege that Grimes conspired with Owen and another sister to try to kill Grimes’ son-in-law, Raul Mina, and attempted to hire a woman to carry out the hit. They allege that Grimes wanted the Louisiana man dead because of allegations that he was abusing his wife.

Terrill cited a 1993 U.S. Supreme Court case making it harder for a co-defendant to avoid being tried with co-defendants.

“Joint trials play a vital role in the criminal justice system and serve important interests, such as reducing the risk of inconsistent verdicts and the unfairness inherent in serial trials, lighten the burden on victims and witnesses, increase efficiency, and conserve scarce judicial resources,” she wrote.

The third sister charged in the case, Mitzy Smith, also asked to be tried separately. But a judge quickly rejected that request.