Opinion ID: 440528
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Sarro's Speedy Trial

Text: 107 Appellant, Robert Sarro, argues that he was denied his statutory right to a speedy trial following his indictment. We disagree. The Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3161(c)(1) (West Supp.1983), provides, in pertinent part, that: 108 In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information or indictment or from the date the defendant has appeared before a judicial officer of the court in which such charge is pending, whichever date last occurs. [Emphasis added.] 109 Not every day between arraignment or indictment and trial is counted within the seventy-day period. Title 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3161(h) (West Supp.1983) sets forth various periods of delay that shall be excluded in computing the time within which an information or an indictment must be filed, or in computing the time within which the trial of any such offense must commence. 110 Section 3161(h)(1)(F) excludes: Delay resulting from any pretrial motion, from the filing of the motion through the conclusion of the hearing on, or other prompt disposition of, such motion.... 111 The record reveals that the original indictment was filed against Sarro and his co-defendants on August 11, 1982, and a superseding indictment was filed against them on September 22, 1982. Sometime between August 27, 1982, and December 28, 1982, numerous pretrial motions were filed by Sarro's co-defendants and disposed of by the court. 112 Despite the fact that Sarro did not file any pretrial motions, the aforementioned time periods are excludable as to him as well as to his co-defendants. See United States v. Varella, 692 F.2d 1352 (11th Cir.1982), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 104 S.Ct. 127, 78 L.Ed.2d 124 (1983); United States v. Edwards, 627 F.2d 460, 461 (D.C.Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 872, 101 S.Ct. 211, 66 L.Ed.2d 92 (1980). 113 Sarro's speedy trial issue is controlled by this court's decision in Varella. In that case, this court held that the Speedy Trial Act excludes a reasonable period of delay when the defendant is joined for trial with a co-defendant as to whom the time for trial has not run, and no motion for severance has been granted. Because Sarro was joined for trial with co-defendants Mark Tortoriello, James Tortoriello, Shapiro, and Tiedeberg, and the time for trial for these co-defendants had not run, and no motion for severance had been granted by the court, Varella covers this case. 114 Trial date was set for January 22, 1983. Prior to that date, both James Tortoriello and Shapiro requested a continuance of the trial date. Shapiro needed a continuance because his attorney was involved in another trial which was scheduled to begin January 22, 1983, and was estimated to last sixty to seventy days. Tortoriello's request was based on the recent death of his brother and the potential effect this trial would have on his parents' already failing health. The district court continued the trial until February 22, 1983. 115 A district court is given discretion to decide when and whether a continuance is appropriate. Ungar v. Sarafite, 376 U.S. 575, 589, 84 S.Ct. 841, 849, 11 L.Ed.2d 921 (1964). Title 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3161(h)(8)(A) (West Supp.1983) empowers the judge to grant a continuance if he feels the ends of justice so require. United States v. Edwards, 627 F.2d 460 (D.C.Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 872, 101 S.Ct. 211, 66 L.Ed.2d 92 (1980). Section 3161(h)(8)(A) further provides that any delay resulting from such a continuance shall be excluded from the computation of trial days. Edwards, 627 F.2d at 461. 116 Considering the record as a whole, we conclude that the district court's grant of the two continuances was not an abuse of discretion and does not require a reversal. We further hold that Sarro was brought to trial within the requisite time and, therefore, was not deprived of his statutory right to a speedy trial.