Opinion ID: 2074633
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Mr Hartridge's Assertion of His Right to a Speedy Trial

Text: Mr. Hartridge made an oral demand for a speedy trial during his arraignment on April 12, 1994, but he did not make a written demand until more than one year later, on May 15, 1995, and some seventeen months after his detention. Although the question of Mr. Hartridge's speedy trial right was raised at other times and there is little doubt that Mr. Hartridge opposed delay in his trial, the record shows that on two occasions, October 6, 1994 and September 12, 1995, the respective trial judges rather than counsel for Mr. Hartridge uttered the words, speedy trial. And, on at least one occasion, January 27, 1995, Mr. Hartridge did not oppose a continuance requested by counsel for Mr. Ford. Thus, it is not altogether accurate to say, as does Mr. Hartridge, that he continuously demanded a speedy trial. We have said previously that the assertion of the right must be considered in light of its `frequency and force.' Hammond, supra, 880 A.2d at 1086 (citing Dickerson v. United States, 650 A.2d 680, 685 (D.C. 1994)). Here, the weight to be given Mr. Hartridge's assertion of his right to a speedy trial is diminished by his delay in a written assertion, the lack of a direct assertion of the right, Dickerson, supra, 650 A.2d at 685 (citations omitted) during at least two status conferences, and his decision not to object to a continuance in January 1995, see Hammond, supra, 880 A.2d at 1086.