Opinion ID: 1785608
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Speedy Trial Rights Violated

Text: Owsley also claims that the trial court erred in denying his numerous motions to dismiss for lack of a speedy trial. Owsley was arrested and placed in jail on April 22, 1993, but was not brought to trial until October 18, 1994, roughly eighteen months later. This delay, he contends, violates speedy trial guarantees under the United States and Missouri Constitutions as well as sections 545.780, 545.890, and 217.460, RSMo 1994. The United States Supreme Court mandates a balancing of four factors when determining whether a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial was violated. Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 533, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2193-94, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). The factors include the [l]ength of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant's assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S.Ct. at 2191-92. In this case, the dispositive factors are those pertaining to the reason for the delay and the prejudice to the defendant. The eighteen month delay was mostly attributable to the various actions taken by defendant or on his behalf, which included requests for a continuance, a second medical examination by various other experts, a change of judge, and additional counsel. The only delays attributable to the State resulted from its requests for the initial competency exam and extension of time for the exam to be completed. The State in no way attempted to delay the trial, while in contrast, a great deal of time was spent handling Owsley's motions. For these reasons alone there is no constitutional violation. The prejudice factor also weighs against the defendant. To establish prejudice, Owsley states that the eighteen month delay between arrest and trial precipitated the need for [counsel] to request a mental examination... [that] was then necessary because Mr. Owsley had expressed the desire to plead guilty and be sentenced to death. He also maintains that the delay caused him to become despondent. Despite these developments, Owsley does not demonstrate how they affected the trial and disposition of his case, and from our review of the record, we find that no prejudice resulted. In addition, Owsley claims that the lengthy delay exacerbated the tension between his counsel and him, which then culminated in the irreconcilable conflict. Having determined that there was no irreconcilable conflict, this point is meritless. In sum, Owsley's failure to show prejudice also defeats his claim of a constitutional violation. Reliance on sections 545.780 and 545.890Missouri's speedy trial statutesis also meritless. Application of section 545.780 is dependent on the finding of a constitutional violation. Because we have already found that Owsley was not denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial, the statute provides him no relief. Section 545.890 does not apply if the delay shall happen on the application of the prisoner. Sec. 545.890. Because the delay in this case was largely due to actions taken by Owsley, this section affords him no relief either. In a final point, Owsley argues that section 217.460 requires that a case be brought to trial within 180 days. This section is a part of the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Law that applies to intrastate detainers. As discussed above, Owsley was responsible for nearly all of the delays. The delays that he caused tolled the 180 day requirement. See State ex rel. Clark v. Long, 870 S.W.2d 932, 940-42 (Mo.App. 1994); Smith, 686 S.W.2d at 547-48. Point denied.