Opinion ID: 1242476
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: PROCEDURAL HISTORY A. Case 93-CR-288 C

Text: On December 6, 1993, Smallwood was charged with one count of second-degree murder, K.S.A. 21-3402(b), in Case 93-CR-288 C. Smallwood waived preliminary hearing, was arraigned, and pled not guilty on January 14, 1994. At that arraignment, the following colloquy occurred. COURT: Mr. Smallwood entered a plea of guilty and we need to set this within 180 days, and it's going to take three days. Sometime in July. MRS. EVERITT [Prosecutor]: Only got until July 15. MR. EASTMAN [Defense counsel]: We'd waive time to fit in with the court docket. Be July 10 or something, but we'd waive time. COURT: You understand we are required, Mr. Smallwood, to bring you to trial within 180 days after you're arraigned; and if we don't do that, then you can't be charged for anything. It's my understanding you're giving up that 180-day time at this time and going to agree to whatever date we set it? MR. EASTMAN: Yes, sir. COURT: Okay. Let's do it what time, August 1? MRS. EVERITT: Well, what do you want? MR. EASTMAN: That's fine. COURT: You're probably going on vacation too, Mr. Smallwood. DEFENDANT SMALLWOOD: No, I got no plans for vacation. MR. EASTMAN: August, I think, would be fine. COURT: August 1. MR. KRITZ: That's fine. COURT: Because you got a two-week trial in July, so I mean that shoots July. Okay. First day of August, 1994, and the defendant has waived the 180-day speedy trial provision. MR. EASTMAN: Yes, sir. We will do it in writing if you want us to. COURT: Please do that. Your bond will continue. You stay in touch with Mr. Eastman, and we will see you in August, if not sooner, okay? DEFENDANT SMALLWOOD: Okay. (Emphasis added.) The district judge set trial for August 1, 1994. On July 26, 1994, the judge granted Smallwood's motion to continue trial to December 5, 1994. (It appears from the record that both attorneys agreed to the extension of trial date and agreed that the delay would be charged to the defendant.) The case was set for trial as case # 2 for December 5, 1994. On December 5, 1994, case # 1 went to trial. Neither party in the Smallwood case appeared, and the case was continued to be reset later by the district court. The court reset the case for trial as case # 2 on January 23, 1995, with a backup date of February 13, 1995. The # 1 case was tried on January 23, 1995. On February 13, 1995, neither party appeared for trial. No order for continuance was filed. The defendant did not object to the continuances or resettings of the trial date, nor did he withdraw his speedy trial waiver. At the end of 1994, the assistant county attorney handling the case resigned. Prior to March 2, 1995, the Montgomery County Attorney, Ann Smith, requested that the state attorney general handle the case. In a March 2, 1995, letter to Patrick Peters, deputy attorney general, Ms. Smith stated that the file indicated a waiver of defendant's speedy trial rights and the case had been reset for trial May 8, 1995. On March 6, 1995, the district judge wrote a letter to all counsel, setting the trial on May 8, 1995. Defendant did not object. By March 14, 1995, the defendant was aware that the attorney general was prosecuting the case. The attorney general believed that the case was undercharged. The prosecutor set a deadline in the second half of March for Smallwood to plead guilty to second-degree murder or be charged with first-degree child abuse felony murder. On May 8, 1995, the defendant and his new attorney unexpectedly appeared in the courthouse. During a conversation in the hallway, the district judge was informed that they were ready for trial and Smallwood was asserting his right to speedy trial. The district judge said that he had been contacted by the State and was informed the case would not be tried on May 8. There was no record made of this conversation. The defendant neither withdrew his waiver of a speedy trial nor gave notice that he was now asserting his right to speedy trial. B. Case 95-CR-167 I On May 9, 1995, based on the same facts, the State filed a second case, 95 CR-167, against Smallwood charging three counts: felony child abuse murder, K.S.A. 21-3436, resulting from alleged child abuse on September 7, 1993 (Count I); child abuse, K.S.A. 21-3609, occurring on September 7, 1993 (Count II); and child abuse occurring on August 23, 1993 (Count III). Smallwood was arraigned on the new charges on July 20, 1995. On November 9, 1995, Smallwood's motion to dismiss the original case on various grounds, including violation of his right to speedy trial, was denied. The State dismissed the original case (93-CR-288 C) on November 27, 1995. After May 9, 1995, Smallwood requested two continuances of trial, which were granted. Trial commenced on March 22, 1996. Smallwood was convicted of first-degree felony child abuse murder and two counts of child abuse and sentenced to life in prison plus 68 months. Smallwood claims violations of both his statutory and constitutional rights to speedy trial. He further claims there was preindictment delay and prosecutorial vindictiveness.