Opinion ID: 1521791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: ruffin: speedy trial

Text: Ruffin has established a prima facie case of a speedy trial violation: 33 months between arraignment and trial. See, e.g., Miller v. United States, 479 A.2d 862, 865-66 (D.C.1984) (delay of more than one year creates a prima facie case of violation). The burden has therefore shifted to the government to rebut that showing. Tribble v. United States, 447 A.2d 766, 768 (D.C.1982). We employ in our analysis the factors addressed in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530-32, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2191-93, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). Having noted the length of the delay, we next must determine reasons for that delay. Approximately seven and one-half months were directly attributable to continuances requested by Ruffin. None of this time is chargeable to the government. Another four months were the result of continuances obtained by Ruffin's codefendant, Shaw. The government bears some responsibility for the delay of Ruffin's trial attributable to the continuances requested by Shaw, in light of the fact the government chose to try the two defendants jointly. See Gaffney v. United States, 421 A.2d 924, 928 (D.C.1980), cert. denied, 451 U.S. 941, 101 S.Ct. 2026, 68 L.Ed.2d 330 (1981). Nevertheless, in light of the policy considerations favoring joinder, this responsibility does not weigh heavily against the government. Adams v. United States, 466 A.2d 439, 444-45 (D.C. 1983). This is especially true where, as here, Ruffin failed to object to any of the continuances his codefendant requested. Another nine months are attributable either to the unavailability, on four occasions, of the trial judge, or to other normal delay unavoidable in a criminal case. This nine months is attributable to the government but carries little weight. White v. United States, 484 A.2d 553, 558 (D.C.1984). The government did request one continuance, made necessary because several witnesses under subpoena failed to appear. This continuance resulted in a delay of three months, which is directly chargeable to the government. Since this delay was not a deliberate attempt to delay the trial in order to hamper the defense, however, but is a valid reason, [ i.e. ] missing witness[es], [which] should serve to justify appropriate delay, it is not given great weight. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.Ct. at 2192. In sum, approximately 25½ months of the 33 were attributable to the government, but the reasons were typical of a congested criminal court calendar, in the context of a joint trial, and thus reveal nothing extraordinary. We next determine whether there has been prejudice to the defendant from the delay. Since Ruffin remained on personal recognizance until he failed to appear for trial on February 1, 1983 (trial then recommenced on March 14, 1983), he did not suffer the oppressive pretrial incarceration that the speedy trial right is designed, in part, to avoid. Reed v. United States, 383 A.2d 316, 320 (D.C.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 871, 99 S.Ct. 203, 58 L.Ed.2d 183 (1978). A speedy trial will also minimize two other types of prejudice that may result from delay: the possibility that the defense will be impaired as a result of the lapse of time and the accused's anxiety attributable to the delay. Ruffin has not alleged that his defense was in any way impaired, and the absence of this most serious form of prejudice weighs heavily in our determination of whether appellant was deprived of his [speedy trial] right. Graves v. United States, 490 A.2d 1086, 1103 (D.C.1984) (en banc), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 106 S.Ct. 814, 88 L.Ed.2d 788 (1986). For the first time on appeal, counsel asserts that Ruffin suffered anxiety as a result of the delay. If Ruffin did suffer anxiety, it is not manifested on this record, especially because he did not file a speedy trial motion at any point during the 33 months between arraignment and trial. This leads to consideration of the final Barker factor: Ruffin never asserted his speedy trial right before the day of trial. Indeed, he never opposed any of the continuances requested by the government, the court, or his co-defendant, Shaw. Ruffin himself requested four continuances. We agree with the government that the record demonstrates a complete absence of any indication of a desire for a speedy trial. In light of this lack of the assertion of the right, the minimal prejudice to the defendant, and the fact that the bulk of the delay attributable to the government is neutral bureaucratic delay, we perceive no speedy trial violation in this case. We therefore proceed to consider the grounds urged for a new trial.