Case ID: f-appx_584/html/0207-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Michael Eugene DAVIS, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Ronald KING, Respondent-Appellee.
    No. 14-60136
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Nov. 14, 2014.
    Michael Eugene Davis, Leakesville, MS, pro se.
    Lesley G. Miller, Special Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Biloxi, MS, for Respondent-Ap-pellee.
    Before DAVIS, CLEMENT and COSTA, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Michael Eugene Davis, Mississippi prisoner # 164121, was convicted of armed robbery and, as a habitual offender, was sentenced to serve life in prison. Now, he appeals the district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas corpus petition and argues that application of the four-part test given in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), shows that his speedy trial rights were violated.

In reviewing the denial of § 2254 relief, this court reviews issues of law de novo and findings of fact for clear error. Ortiz v. Quarterman, 504 F.3d 492, 496 (5th Cir.2007). Additionally, the state court’s rejection of claims on the merits is afforded deference pursuant to § 2254(d). See Miller v. Thaler, 714 F.3d 897, 902 n. 3 (5th Cir.2013). Under § 2254(d), habeas relief may not be granted with respect to a claim that was adjudicated on the merits in state court unless the state court’s decision “was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States,” § 2254(d)(1), or “was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding,” § 2254(d)(2); see Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 131 S.Ct. 770, 787, 178 L.Ed.2d 624 (2011).

Under Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), this court considers four factors when assessing a defendant’s claim that he was deprived of his constitutional right to a speedy trial: “Length of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant.” Prejudice is considered while bearing in mind the factors meant to be protected by a speedy trial: “(i) to prevent oppressive pretrial incarceration; (ii) to minimize anxiety and concern of the accused; and (iii) to limit the possibility that the defense will be impaired.” Id. at 532, 92 S.Ct. 2182.

The Barker analysis “eschews rigid rules and mechanical factor-counting in favor of a difficult and sensitive balancing process.” Amos v. Thornton, 646 F.3d 199, 205 (5th Cir.2011). Consequently, § 2254(d) mandates that this court “give the widest of latitude to a state court’s conduct of its speedy-trial analysis.” Amos, 646 F.3d at 205. Thus, so long as “there is any objectively reasonable basis on which the state court could have denied relief, AEDPA demands that [this court] respect its decision to do so.” Amos, 646 F.3d at 205. Our review of the record and application of the Barker analysis shows an objectively reasonable basis for the state court’s rejection of this claim. Accordingly, the district court’s judgment is AFFIRMED, and Davis’s request for appointed counsel is DENIED. 
      
       Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.