Opinion ID: 1881558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: joint consideration of the four barker factors

Text: ¶ 30. As Barker indicated, each of the four factors, along with any other relevant circumstances, must be considered together in determining whether the State violated the defendant's speedy trial right. Barker, 407 U.S. at 533, 92 S.Ct. 2182. First, the one-year delay between arrest and indictment gives rise to a presumption of prejudice. Once that presumption arises, the trial court must address the reason for delay, the defendant's assertion of the right to speedy trial, and any prejudice to the defendant. As for the reason for delay, the State established that the delay was not a deliberate, tactical delay, but rather that it was based on the need to further investigate the charges against Woodall before indicting him. The trial court erred in failing to afford the State's explanations the proper weight and in holding this factor strongly against the State. At most, this factor should have been weighed slightly against the State. ¶ 31. As for the defendant's assertion of the right to speedy trial, Woodall failed to assert his right to speedy trial until the first appeal of the case. The trial court erred in holding this factor weighed equally against both the State and Woodall. Instead, the trial court should have ruled in the State's favor on this issue. Finally, in regard to prejudice, Woodall presented no concrete proof he had suffered anxiety or that his defense would be impaired by the delay. The trial court erred in finding that the death of John Johnson, an alleged witness for Woodall, had resulted in extreme prejudice to Woodall. The sole evidence on this point consisted of the assertions of Woodall and his attorney, but those assertions do not qualify as credible evidence. Thus, the trial court was clearly erroneous in weighing this factor in favor of Woodall.