Opinion ID: 889300
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Minimize the Accused's Anxiety and Concern

Text: ¶ 64 In evaluating anxiety and concern, the focus is on the ways in which the presence of unresolved criminal charges disrupted the accused's life. A certain amount of anxiety and concern is inherent in being accused of a crime. Also, the speedy trial guarantee is designed to shorten the disruption of the accused's life, not to eliminate it altogether. Thus, the critical question is whether the delay in bringing the accused to trial unduly prolonged the disruption of his or her life or aggravated the anxiety and concern that are inherent in being accused of a crime. Ariegwe, ¶ 97. ¶ 65 Here, the District Court found that Couture's anxiety and stress appeared to rise beyond the level one would expect from anyone facing such serious charges. Although he suffered from anxiety and depression prior to incarceration, the court observed that his feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression worsened as his case was delayed. The court noted that on one occasion, Couture suffered a panic attack and believed he was going to die. He required medication and was twice hospitalized. In addition, he spent more than 275 days of his pretrial incarceration in solitary confinement. For these reasons, the court weighed this factor in Couture's favor, but only lightly in his favor. The court reasoned that the intensity of Couture's anxiety and concern was largely of his own making because he had asked to be placed in solitary confinement and because most of the pretrial delay was attributable to him. ¶ 66 On appeal, Couture argues that this factor should have weighed much more strongly in his favor, while the State argues that, [i]f anything, this factor should have weighed in favor of the State. Neither party, however, has demonstrated that the District Court's findings are clearly erroneous. And on the record before us, we agree with the court that this factor weighs lightly in Couture's favor on the question of prejudice.