Judge rejects Baldwin woman's request to be tried separately from her sisters in murder-for-hire case

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A federal judge has denied a Baldwin County woman’s request to be tried separately from two of her sisters in a murder-for-hire conspiracy case.

Judy Owen had argued that it would be unfair for her to be tried alongside her sisters Sandra Grimes and Mitzy Gaye Smith. His attorney noted that Grimes made statements to investigators after his arrest that implicated Owen. The defense argued that because Grimes cannot be compelled to testify at her own trial, Owen’s attorney would not be able to cross-examine her on those statements.

But Chief U.S. District Judge Jeffery Beaverstock ruled that courts have held that defendants charged together — especially in conspiracy cases — should generally be tried together. He wrote that the defense has the “heavy burden” of proving that a joint trial would harm the defendant and that the harm could not be remedied by jury instructions.

“In this case, Ms. Owen has not demonstrated why relief without compensation would be insufficient to remedy any compelling harm resulting from a joint suit,” the judge wrote. “Thus, she has not met the ‘heavy burden’ requirement for severance and the motion is DENIED.” »

Prosecutors say Grimes, 57, wanted his son-in-law, Raul Mina, dead because of allegations he was abusing his wife. Grimes, Owen and Smith are accused of conspiring to hire Rebecca Elizabeth Murphy to carry out the hit.

Murphy, who did not follow through, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to commit murder and passion with a firearm by a convicted felon. She is expected to be sentenced in January.

The remaining defendants pleaded not guilty this week following a revised indictment. They are expected to be tried in November.