State of Missouri vs. Cadilac Meshawn Derrick, WD87697

Derrick was charged with two murders, two armed criminal action counts, domestic assault, and endangering the welfare of a child arising from August and November 2022 incidents. 1
In August 2022, Derrick allegedly choked and punched Victim 1, then sent her threatening texts about killing her if she left him. 2
In November 2022, Victim 1 called 911 reporting Derrick was abusing her and armed with a gun; five gunshots were heard and Victim 1 and Victim 2 died from gunshot wounds. 3
Derrick later told police and testified that he acted in self-defense and that Victim 1 shot Victim 2 before he shot Victim 1. 4
The jury convicted Derrick of voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, and domestic assault, but acquitted him of endangering the welfare of a child. 5
The trial court imposed consecutive sentences totaling 62 years, and Derrick appealed joinder and severance rulings. 6

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether August and November charges were properly joined 7	Derrick said the incidents were separate and not a common scheme.	State said the crimes were connected and part of a continuing domestic-violence scheme.	Joinder was proper. 8
Whether the trial court should have severed the charges 9	Derrick claimed joinder caused substantial prejudice and inflamed the jury.	State said evidence was simple, distinct, and each count could be separately considered.	No abuse of discretion in denying severance. 10

State v. Reeder, 182 S.W.3d 569 (Mo. App. E.D. 2005) (joinder and severance are distinct issues 11)
State v. Roberts, 465 S.W.3d 899 (Mo. banc 2015) (liberal joinder of criminal offenses is favored 12)
State v. Hood, 451 S.W.3d 758 (Mo. App. E.D. 2014) (joinder is proper when offenses are of similar character or part of a common scheme 13)
State v. Boyd, 659 S.W.3d 914 (Mo. banc 2023) (abuse-of-discretion and severance-prejudice standards 14)
State v. McKinney, 314 S.W.3d 339 (Mo. banc 2010) (simple, distinct evidence can overcome prejudice from joinder 15)
State v. Herring, 715 S.W.3d 623 (Mo. App. W.D. 2025) (acquittal on one count can show the jury separated the evidence 16)
State v. Hallmark, 635 S.W.3d 163 (Mo. App. E.D. 2021) (conclusory prejudice claims are insufficient 17)
State v. Tolliver, 101 S.W.3d 313 (Mo. App. E.D. 2003) (prior misconduct against the victim may show motive, intent, or absence of mistake 18)
State v. Williams, 608 S.W.3d 205 (Mo. App. W.D. 2020) (evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict 19)