People v. Mercado

Following a joint jury trial, defendant Angel Mercado was found guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon while codefendant Robert Cantoral was acquitted of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Subsequently, the trial court sentenced defendant to concurrent terms of 20 years in prison for aggravated discharge of a weapon and 12 years for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

Defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in failing to sever his trial from that of his codefendant because they presented antagonistic defenses and his attorney was…