Opinion ID: 2975532
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: February 18 to May 27, 2003 (3 months, 9 days)

Text: The sealed Indictment was returned against Williams on February 18, 2003. From February 18 to May 27, 2003, no action occurred in this mater. The Government asserts the delay from February 18 to May 27, 2003, when a state bench warrant was issued for Williams, was “due to the sealing of the indictment to avoid the risk of flight, in hopes of arresting both defendants at the same time, which is clearly a legitimate reason for sealing.” (Gov’t Br. at 9.) The Government is undoubtedly correct that, generally, the sealing of an indictment for the reasons it proffered serves a “legitimate prosecutorial purpose.” United States v. Wright, 343 F.3d 849, 858 (6th Cir. 2003). A reasonable period of delay due to the sealing of the Indictment is justified based on the Government’s rational apprehensions, as stated in its motion to seal the Indictment, that “one or more of the defendants may flee the jurisdiction if they become aware that an indictment has been returned against them” and that “there is danger of harm to potential government witnesses if the defendants became aware of the indictment prior to their arrest.” 11 (J.A. 13-14.) At least during the period immediately following the sealing of the Indictment, the delay had a “valid reason” and thus weighs in favor of the Government. See Schreane, 331 F.3d at 554 (“A ‘valid reason’ for a delay, such as an unavailable witness, weighs in favor of the government.”) (citations omitted). However, the Government has presented no evidence that it took any actions during this initial 3-month period to arrest Williams or his co-defendant or to alleviate any flight risk or risk to witnesses. Thus, at least with regard to the latter portion of the initial 3-month delay, the sealing of the Indictment provides only a “more neutral reason” for the Government’s delay, and therefore “should be weighted less heavily but nevertheless should be considered since the ultimate responsibility for such circumstances must rest with the government rather than with the defendant.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 531; see also Schreane, 331 F.3d at 553-54. Still, this shorter period of delay does not weigh heavily against the Government because it does not appear to have been motivated by a “deliberate attempt to delay the trial in order to hamper the defense,” Barker, 407 U.S. at 531, or by “bad faith, harassment or attempts to seek a tactical advantage,” Schreane, 331 F.3d at 553.