Opinion ID: 889185
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: factor four: prejudice to rose

Text: ¶ 168 Under Factor Four, we assess whether Rose was prejudiced in the light of the interests that the speedy trial right was designed to protect: preventing oppressive pretrial incarceration, minimizing anxiety and concern, and limiting the possibility that the defense will be impaired. See Ariegwe, ¶¶ 86-88. As noted, the State must make a highly persuasive showing that Rose was not prejudiced by the delay. Opinion, ¶ 66. ¶ 169 I generally agree with the Court's analysis under Factor Four (Opinion, ¶¶ 69-85), except with respect to the oppressiveness of the incarceration. Rose was incarcerated at the Ravalli County Detention Center (RCDC) for the entire 507 days between arrest on January 11, 2002, and trial on June 2, 2003. He spent the first seven months isolated in a maximum security cell. He testified in the District Court (during the speedy trial hearing) that he was not allowed contact with other inmates during this period. He was in his cell for at least 23 hours a day, and some days he was not let out of his cell at all. His only human contact was with the guards when they delivered his meals through a food slot. He ate alone in his cell, which was seven feet wide and approximately ten feet long and had a cement floor, a cement ceiling, cinderblock walls, and a stainless steal toilet and sink. The only window was a four inch by four inch piece of glass in the door. ¶ 170 Rose claims he was placed in isolation despite strong indications that he suffered from existing mental health issues including bipolar disorder. Rose cites Walker v. State, 2003 MT 134, 316 Mont. 103, 68 P.3d 872, in which we recognized the psychological harm caused by placing inmates in a severely restrictive setting for nearly 24 hours a day, which can manifest as massive anxiety, acute confusion, paranoia, concentration and memory problems, and aggressive or self-destructive behaviors. Walker, ¶ 66. In this connection, Paul Graves, who met with Rose almost weekly as part of the jail ministry, testified that Rose lost around 15 or 20 pounds during his isolation and that the slight limp Rose had when they first met appeared to worsen over this period. ¶ 171 During the winter months, Rose's cell was unbearable in terms of temperature. Rose testified that there were times you could see your breath in the cell and there was just no relief. He was allowed only one blanket and would shiver all night long. He also stated that he was threatened with disciplinary action when he plugged a vent that blew cold air into his cell. Cathy Powell, RCDC Commander, acknowledged at the speedy trial hearing that there had been problems with the heating. She testified that these problems have since been remedied. ¶ 172 The State asserts that [n]either the length nor the conditions of Rose's pretrial incarceration were oppressive in light of the nature of the charged offenses, Rose's criminal history and Rose's drug history. The Court appears to agree. See Opinion, ¶ 71. Yet, even if Rose's pretrial incarceration was necessitated to an extent by the factors set forth in the bail statute (§ 46-9-301, MCA), nothing about the nature of the charged offenses, Rose's criminal history, or Rose's drug history could justify subjecting him for an extended period of time to the conditions discussed above. ¶ 173 Rose was incarcerated for 507 days in a short-term holding facility. He spent the first seven months isolated in a maximum security cell. Considering the duration and conditions of that incarceration, I conclude that the incarceration was oppressive. However, as noted, I agree with the Court that the delay in bringing Rose to trial did not unduly prolong the disruption of his life or aggravate the anxiety and concern inherent in being accused of a crime. Opinion, ¶ 77. Likewise, it does not appear that the delay significantly impaired Rose's ability to present an effective defense. Opinion, ¶¶ 81-83. For these reasons, I conclude that Factor Four weighs slightly in favor of the State.