Opinion ID: 795239
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Unreasonable Delay Claims

Text: 19 Yehling also argues the district court's four-year delay in ruling on his motion for a new trial deprived the district court of jurisdiction and constituted denial of a speedy trial and due process of law. He asks this court to reverse his conviction and vacate his sentence. 20 We first address Yehling's jurisdictional claim. 4 Jurisdictional questions are reviewed de novo. Huerta v. Gonzales, 443 F.3d 753, 755 (10th Cir.2006). In support of his claim that the district court lost jurisdiction over his case because of its delay in ruling on his motion for a new trial, Yehling cites a single Colorado state court case. See Grundel v. People, 33 Colo. 191, 79 P. 1022 (1905). The defendant in Grundel pleaded guilty to gambling and was sentenced three years later. The appellate court dismissed the charges, concluding [i]n the absence of a permissive statute, the indefinite postponement of sentence upon one convicted of crime deprives the court of jurisdiction to pronounce sentence at a subsequent term. Id. at 1023. We express no opinion regarding the holding of Grundel because it is inapposite here. The district court imposed Yehling's sentence four months after he was found guilty. During the pendency of Yehling's motion for a new trial, a valid, final sentence existed. Thus, in contrast to Grundel, Yehling's sentence was not indefinitely postponed. Yehling has not cited, and we cannot find, any authority for the proposition that a district court loses jurisdiction as a result of delay in deciding a motion for a new trial after the defendant has been sentenced. We therefore reject Yehling's jurisdictional claim. 21 Yehling also contends the district court's delay deprived him of a speedy trial and due process of law. In evaluating claims of unreasonable delay in criminal cases, we review questions of law de novo and questions of fact for clear error. United States v. Davis, 1 F.3d 1014, 1017-18 (10th Cir.1993); see also United States v. Smith, 94 F.3d 204, 208 (6th Cir.1996). Yehling raised his speedy trial and due process claims for the first time in a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction after the district court denied his motion for a new trial. Yehling then filed a notice of appeal, depriving the district court of jurisdiction before it ruled on his motion to dismiss. We generally do not consider issues on appeal that were not ruled on below. R. Eric Peterson Constr. Co. v. Quintek, Inc. (In re R. Eric Peterson Constr. Co.), 951 F.2d 1175, 1182 (10th Cir.1991). Under the unique facts presented here, however, we need not remand the case to the district court to address Yehling's unreasonable delay claims in the first instance. Even accepting Yehling's allegations as true, he has not demonstrated a speedy trial or due process violation. 22 The Sixth Amendment guarantees all criminal defendants the right to a speedy trial; we have applied this right from arrest through sentencing. Perez v. Sullivan, 793 F.2d 249, 253 (10th Cir.1986); see Pollard v. United States, 352 U.S. 354, 361, 77 S.Ct. 481, 1 L.Ed.2d 393 (1957). Protection against unreasonable delay in the appellate process is similarly provided by the Fifth Amendment right to due process of law. See Harris v. Champion, 15 F.3d 1538, 1558 (10th Cir.1994) (applying, through Fourteenth Amendment, right to due process when state delayed prosecution of habeas petitioner). Yehling's claim, however, does not fit squarely into either of these categories. The delay in this case occurred after Yehling's sentence was imposed, but before he filed a notice of appeal. Nevertheless, the interests protected by preventing unreasonable delay from arrest through sentencing and throughout the appellate process are also endangered by delay in deciding a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Faded memories or misplaced evidence may impair a defendant's ability to adequately defend himself if he is granted a new trial. See Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 526, 532, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). Delay may also produce anxiety or drain a defendant's financial resources. Moore v. Arizona, 414 U.S. 25, 27, 94 S.Ct. 188, 38 L.Ed.2d 183 (1973). Because of these similarities, we see no reason to exempt a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence from protection against unreasonable delay. We therefore examine the delay in this case to determine if it rises to the level of a constitutional violation. 23 In Barker, the Supreme Court established a balancing test to determine whether a particular delay violates a defendant's right to a speedy trial. 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182. The Court identified four factors that should be assessed and balanced: (1) the length of delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) the defendant's assertion of his right; and (4) prejudice to the defendant. Id. None of the factors are necessary or sufficient; rather, the factors are related and should be considered together with other relevant circumstances. Id. at 533, 92 S.Ct. 2182. Although Barker addressed only a defendant's right to a speedy trial, this court subsequently adopted the Barker analysis in determining whether a defendant's due process right to a timely direct criminal appeal in state court had been violated. Harris, 15 F.3d at 1559. Because the Barker test also provides an appropriate framework to evaluate delay in deciding a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence, we apply it in assessing Yehling's claim. 24 The first factor, length of delay, functions as a triggering mechanism. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182. The remaining factors are examined only if the delay is long enough to be presumptively prejudicial. Id. Yehling filed his motion for a new trial on December 4, 2001. The government filed its response on December 26, 2001. The district court denied Yehling's motion three years and eight months later. Although there is no definitive number of months or years that will trigger consideration of the remaining Barker factors, the delay of three years and eight months in this case is presumptively prejudicial. See United States v. Batie, 433 F.3d 1287, 1290 (10th Cir.2006) (observing pretrial delay approaching one year sufficient to trigger Barker analysis for determining speedy trial violation); Harris, 15 F.3d at 1560 (concluding two-year delay in adjudicating direct criminal appeal gives rise to presumption of inordinate delay); Perez, 793 F.2d at 257 (stating fifteen-month delay in sentencing was sufficient to require inquiry into remaining Barker factors). Thus, we must examine the remaining Barker factors. Moreover, because the delay here was substantial and Yehling's motion for a new trial did not raise complex legal or factual issues, the length of delay weighs in Yehling's favor. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530-31, 92 S.Ct. 2182 (observing complexity of case may affect reasonableness of delay). 25 The second factor, the reason for the delay, weighs against the government in proportion to the degree to which the government caused the delay. Batie, 433 F.3d at 1291 Purposeful delay weighs heavily against the government. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.Ct. 2182. A more neutral reason such as negligence or overcrowded courts [is] weighted less heavily but nevertheless should be considered since the ultimate responsibility for such circumstances must rest with the government rather than with the defendant. Id. Yehling does not allege any attempt at intentional delay by the government; rather, he acknowledges the delay in this case was the result of negligence. Thus, this factor also weighs in Yehling's favor, but not heavily. 26 The third factor assesses whether a defendant asserted his right to adjudication without unreasonable delay. Id. In Barker, the Supreme Court rejected the contention that a defendant who fails to demand a speedy trial waives the right. Id. at 528, 92 S.Ct. 2182. The Court also declined to adopt the antithetical view that a defendant has no duty to assert the right. Id. Instead, the Court determined a defendant's assertion of, or failure to assert, his right to a speedy trial is merely one factor to be considered in determining whether the right has been violated. Id. 27 Yehling filed motions in March 2004 and 2005 seeking permission from the district court to travel to Cozumel and Boston, respectively. Both motions indicated Yehling had filed a motion for a new trial on December 4, 2001, and the motion was still pending before the district court. Neither motion, however, asserted Yehling's right to a timely decision on his motion for a new trial or requested that the district court rule on the motion without further delay. See Perez, 793 F.2d at 256 (observing defendant's failure to file a formal motion requesting sentencing was indicative of defendant's acquiescence in fifteen-month delay); see also Barker, 407 U.S. at 529, 92 S.Ct. 2182. In fact, Yehling did not file a motion asserting his right to a decision without unreasonable delay until after the district court had denied his motion for a new trial. A defendant's burden to actively assert his right is not satisfied merely by moving to dismiss after the delay has already occurred. Batie, 433 F.3d at 1291. The third factor thus weighs against Yehling. 28 The final Barker factor analyzes prejudice to the defendant resulting from the delay. Barker, 407 U.S. at 532, 92 S.Ct. 2182. Prejudice is assessed in light of the interests the speedy trial and due process rights were designed to protect: preventing oppressive incarceration, minimizing anxiety and concern of the defendant, and limiting the possibility that the defense will be impaired. Id. We observed in Perez that once a defendant has been convicted, the rights of society increase in proportion to the rights of the defendant. 793 F.2d at 256. Post-conviction prejudice therefore must be substantial and demonstrable. Id. 29 Yehling was free on a personal recognizance bond during the pendency of his motion for a new trial. Nevertheless, he asserts the delay interfered with his personal liberty because he was under the supervision of federal probation officials and subject to drug screening. Although Yehling was subject to supervision during the pendency of his motion, 5 he was able to maintain stable employment, marry, and purchase a home. Moreover, on the only two occasions Yehling sought permission from the district court to leave the state of Colorado, it was granted. Thus, his liberty was not greatly restricted. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 532, 92 S.Ct. 2182 (identifying prevention of oppressive incarceration as interest protected by right to speedy trial). 30 Yehling also asserts he suffered anxiety because of the delay in resolution of his motion for a new trial. To establish prejudice as a result of anxiety, a defendant must make a particularized and substantial showing of anxiety distinguishable from anxiety suffered by other similarly situated defendants. Harris, 15 F.3d at 1565. Even assuming Yehling suffered anxiety, he has not alleged particular or substantial anxiety that makes his situation different from that of other defendants awaiting a decision on a motion for a new trial. The facts of this case are similar to Barker, 407 U.S. at 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101. The defendant in Barker spent ten months in jail awaiting trial before being released on bond. Id. at 534, 92 S.Ct. 2182. The defendant remained free on bond for over three years before he was finally tried and convicted. Id. In assessing the defendant's speedy trial claim, the Court acknowledged the defendant suffered some prejudice by living under a cloud of suspicion and anxiety for over four years. Id. The Court, however, concluded the prejudice was minimal in light of the defendant's failure to allege the delay impaired his defense. Id. Because Yehling's alleged prejudice is similarly minimal, 6 he has failed to make the required showing of substantial prejudice. Thus, the fourth factor weighs against Yehling. 31 Although the first two Barker factors — length of delay and reason for the delay — weigh in favor of finding a constitutional violation in this case, the last two factors do not. Yehling did not timely assert his right to a decision without unreasonable delay, and he failed to allege particularized and substantial prejudice resulting from the delay. Though none of the Barker factors are dispositive, the Supreme Court has observed a defendant's assertion of his right carries strong weight in determining whether the right was actually violated because [t]he more serious the deprivation, the more likely a defendant is to complain. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.Ct. 2182. Additionally, we have indicated the necessity of showing substantial prejudice dominates the Barker balancing test once a defendant has been convicted. Perez, 793 F.2d at 256. Because the first and second Barker factors do not compensate for Yehling's failure to timely assert his right or allege substantial prejudice, Yehling has failed to establish the delay deprived him of a speedy trial or due process of law.