Opinion ID: 1355273
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Continuance of Case Due to Events of September 11, 2001

Text: On September 12, 2001, the trial court continued the trial in this matter until September 17, 2001. Defendant Thomas maintains that the trial court erred by failing to continue the matter for a longer period of time following the events of September 11, 2001. The granting of a continuance rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. See State v. Russell, 10 S.W.3d 270, 275 (Tenn.Crim.App.1999). We will reverse the denial of a continuance only if the trial court abused its discretion and the defendant was prejudiced by the denial. See id. An abuse of discretion is demonstrated by showing that the failure to grant a continuance denied defendant a fair trial or that it could be reasonably concluded that a different result would have followed had the continuance been granted. State v. Hines, 919 S.W.2d 573, 579 (Tenn.1995). In the present case, the trial court's denial of a continuance was not error. The trial was scheduled to begin on September 10, 2001. On September 10, 2001, eleven jurors were tentatively selected and the matter continued to September 11 for a second day of jury selection. Although not evidenced by the record, September 11, 2001, is the date of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. On September 11, 2001, eighteen jurors were tentatively selected. At some point on that day, defense counsel moved for a continuance. The trial court continued the trial until September 17. While the events of September 11, 2001, were of unquestionable national importance, Defendant Thomas fails to explain how those events affected his trial. Nothing in the record before us indicates that those events had any effect on the proceedings other than to delay them for one week. Thus, Defendant Thomas has failed to show how he was prejudiced by the trial court's refusal to grant a continuance for a longer period of time. We find neither error nor abuse of discretion. This issue is without merit.