Opinion ID: 595260
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Delay in Processing This Appeal.

Text: 31 Chavez contends that the sixteen-month delay in the filing of the reporter's transcripts on appeal violated his right to due process. We held in United States v. Antoine, 906 F.2d 1379 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 398, 112 L.Ed.2d 407 (1990), that extreme delay in processing an appeal may amount to a violation of due process. Id. at 1382. We also held, however, that a due process violation cannot be established absent a showing of prejudice to the appellant. Id. See Coe v. Thurman, 922 F.2d 528, 532 (9th Cir.1990) (prejudice cannot be presumed). United States v. Tucker, 964 F.2d 952, 953 (9th Cir.1992) (petition for reh'g filed June 26, 1992, suggestion for reconsideration en banc pending ) (prejudice is shown where there is a five-year delay on appeal thereby making it difficult for petitioner to refresh witnesses' memories). 32 We need not decide in this matter whether a delay of sixteen months is extreme. We recognize that the right to have an appeal processed in a timely manner cannot be quantified into a specified number of days or months. Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 523, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2188, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). 33 In determining whether delay in the processing of an appeal has resulted in prejudice to an appellant, we must consider whether the delay resulted in (1) oppressive incarceration pending appeal, (2) anxiety and concern of the convicted party awaiting the outcome of the appeal, and (3) impairment of the convicted person's grounds for appeal or of the viability of his defense in case of retrial. Antoine, 906 F.2d at 1382. 34 Chavez has not demonstrated that his incarceration pending this appeal was oppressive. Because Chavez pleaded guilty to count five, and received a concurrent sentence of 78 months, he would not have been released earlier had we resolved the merits of his appeal concerning counts one and two prior to today. He currently is serving the remainder of his prison term on count five. Thus, he has not suffered oppressive incarceration because of Mr. Frederickson's delay in filing the reporter's transcripts. 35 Chavez also has failed to meet the second Antoine factor. While Chavez has understandably experienced anxiety and concern because of the delay in processing his appeal regarding counts one and two of the indictment, he has failed to demonstrate that his stress and frustration is any greater than any other prisoner awaiting the outcome of an appeal. Antoine, 906 F.2d at 1382-83. Unlike the appellant in Antoine, Chavez is serving time on another charge which is unaffected by our decision in this matter. 36 Chavez also argues that the viability of his defense in case of a retrial will be severely impaired. Appellant's Opening Brief at 10. Chavez did not present a defense at trial. The testimony of the Government's witnesses at trial is recorded in the trial transcripts. Their memories can be refreshed by reviewing the reporter's transcripts. If their memories cannot be refreshed, their prior testimony can be introduced. In either event, any dimming of the memories of the Government's witnesses prejudices the prosecution, not the defense. Chavez asserts that his efforts to locate potentially exculpatory evidence has been severely curtailed. He has failed, however, to give any indication of what new evidence may now be available that was not within his knowledge prior to trial. 37 Chavez has failed to demonstrate that he has been prejudiced by the sixteen-month delay between his request and the filing of the reporter's transcripts. Accordingly, we must reject his due process claim and resolve the merits of this appeal.