Opinion ID: 883138
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 31

Heading: Whether Moore was denied his right to a speedy trial?

Text: Moore argues he was denied his right to a speedy trial as a result of the State's two interlocutory appeals. The State filed its first interlocutory appeal on April 25, 1991. The appeal was taken from the District Court's ruling which granted Moore's motion to suppress evidence of the taped interviews taken by law enforcement officials, and which reserved ruling on whether the State could use the suppressed evidence for impeachment. This Court affirmed the District Court's rulings in our opinion dated October 8, 1991. State v. Moore (1991), 250 Mont. 254, 818 P.2d 835. On January 24, 1992, the State filed its second interlocutory appeal. The State appealed from the District Court's order of January 16, 1992, suppressing evidence relating to the actions of Moore after the shooting of Brisbin, and the testimony of two potential witnesses. We reversed the District Court's suppression rulings on all issues. State v. Moore (1992), 254 Mont. 241, 836 P.2d 604. We issued our second opinion on August 20, 1992. The right to a speedy trial in a criminal prosecution is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Article II, Section 24 of the Montana Constitution. State v. Stewart (1994), ___ Mont. ___, 51 St.Rep. 910, 881 P.2d 629, 632. Montana has adopted the test set forth in Barker v. Wingo (1972), 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101, to determine whether the right to a speedy trial has been violated. State ex rel. Briceno v. District Court (1977), 173 Mont. 516, 568 P.2d 162. The factors this Court must examine are 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 2192, 33 L.Ed.2d at 117; State v. Thompson (1993), 263 Mont. 17, 31-32, 865 P.2d 1125, 1134. Moore relies on the United States Supreme Court decision United States v. Loud Hawk (1986), 474 U.S. 302, 106 S.Ct. 648, 88 L.Ed.2d 640, the seminal case on interlocutory appeal and speedy trial, to support his contention that he was denied his right to a speedy trial as a result of the State's two interlocutory appeals. Loud Hawk adopted the four-part test set forth in Barker to determine whether a defendant's right to a speedy trial was violated. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 314, 106 S.Ct. at 655, 89 L.Ed.2d at 653. However, after applying the Barker factors to the case before us, we conclude that Moore's right to a speedy trial was not violated. Over one year and ten months (692 days) expired between Moore's arrest and trial, therefore, the length of the delay is presumptively prejudicial. See, State v. Bartnes (1988), 234 Mont. 522, 527, 764 P.2d 1271, 1275 (175 day delay which was attributable mainly to the State found to be presumptively prejudicial); Thompson, 865 P.2d at 1135 (203 day delay presumptively prejudicial). Because the delay is presumptively prejudicial, the remaining three factors must be considered. In balancing the factors, no particular factor is determinative; all the factors must be weighed in light of the facts and circumstances of the case. Thompson, 865 P.2d at 1134-35. In assessing the second factor of the Barker test, the United States Supreme Court in Loud Hawk noted that different weights should be assigned to different reasons for delay, and that [g]iven the important public interests in appellate review,... it hardly need be said that an interlocutory appeal by the Government ordinarily is a valid reason that justifies delay. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 315, 106 S.Ct. at 656, 88 L.Ed.2d at 654. Loud Hawk set forth several factors to be considered in determining whether to charge the government with the delay occasioned by its interlocutory appeals: the strength of the government's position on the appealed issue; the importance of the issue in the posture of the case; and the seriousness of the crime. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 315, 106 S.Ct. at 656, 88 L.Ed.2d at 654. If the issues raised by the government's interlocutory appeal were clearly tangential or frivolous, the delay should be weighed heavily against the government. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 315-16, 106 S.Ct. at 656, 88 L.Ed.2d at 654-55. However, when the government's conduct is reasonable, and there has been no showing of bad faith or dilatory purpose on the part of the government, delays occasioned by the government's interlocutory appeals should not weigh in favor of a defendant's speedy trial claim. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 316, 106 S.Ct. at 656, 88 L.Ed.2d at 655. Moore alleges that the State's motive for both appeals is highly suspect. Moore suggests that the State filed its first appeal after being chastised by the District Court for having its case in disarray. Moore then implies that the State filed its second appeal in retaliation for the District Court sanctioning the prosecution by removing the lead counsel, Deputy County Attorney Marty Lambert, from the case. We conclude that Moore's contentions are without merit. There is no indication in the record that the State chose to appeal as a delay tactic or in retaliation for being chastised or sanctioned by the District Court. The District Court itself was quoted as saying, I don't think [the first appeal] was a time-consuming ploy on the part of the county attorney. They had legitimate grounds to file the appeal. Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Judge says evidence rejected in Moore case won't cause delays, October 8, 1991. We agree with the District Court that the first appeal was meritorious and, therefore, the appeal should not weigh heavily against the State. The record also does not support Moore's allegation that the State filed its second appeal in retaliation for the trial court removing lead counsel from the case. The record shows that the District Court removed the deputy county attorney from the case after it had been informed that the State had filed its notice of appeal. In addition, we reversed the trial court in the State's second appeal and reversals by the Court of Appeals are prima facie evidence of the reasonableness of the Government's action. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 316, 106 S.Ct. at 656, 88 L.Ed.2d at 655. We conclude that there is no basis for Moore's allegation that the State's motive for its appeals was suspect, as there was no showing of bad faith or dilatory purpose on its part. Therefore, the reason for the delay should be resolved in favor of the State. Regarding the third Barker factor, Moore made a timely assertion of his right to a speedy trial by raising the issue two times before the commencement of his trial. State v. Palmer (1986), 223 Mont. 25, 28, 723 P.2d 956, 959. In considering the fourth factor, we must examine the interests of the defendant which may be prejudiced by a delay in coming to trial. These interests are: (1) pretrial incarceration, (2) anxiety and concern, and (3) impairment of defense. Barker, 407 U.S. at 532, 92 S.Ct. at 2193; Stewart, 881 P.2d at 633; Thompson, 865 P.2d at 1135. Moore was incarcerated for approximately 90 days before his release on bail. Although incarceration is a serious matter, Moore was free on bail nearly all of the time between arrest and trial. Therefore, Moore cannot complain of prejudice resulting from pretrial incarceration. Stewart, 881 P.2d at 633. The second interests we must consider, anxiety and concern, are difficult matters to prove. However, it must be kept in mind that the charge against Moore is one of the most serious which may be levied, and the mere fact it was filed will produce some anxiety and concern. Thompson, 865 P.2d at 1135. Moore failed to indicate how his anxiety and concern were aggravated as a result of the delay, and we decline to presume prejudice. The most important consideration is whether the delay impaired or prejudiced Moore's defense. Moore claims he was financially devastated as a result of the protracted legal proceedings, and as a result, his defense suffered as he did not have enough funds to pay for his own experts at trial. Again, however, the record fails to support Moore's allegations. After holding a hearing on Moore's motion to determine whether the State should pay for his experts at trial, the District Court found that Moore had remaining assets valued in excess of $160,000. The court determined that Moore was not indigent and denied Moore's motion. In addition, Moore indicated at the indigence hearing that his experts had been paid up to date, and his experts appeared and testified at trial. In considering whether Moore's defense was prejudiced by the delay the District Court reasoned as follows: Here, Defendant has been free on bond for many, many months, has traveled in and out of the State of Montana to conduct his usual business affairs, has traveled outside Montana on family matters, and has consistently been available to work with his counsel on preparation of this case. No witnesses essential to the defense have died; the Defendant has had full discovery of prosecution evidence, and has had equal time to assemble his own evidence. Nothing about the delays which have occurred in this case can be reasonably attributed to State actions having the purpose of prejudicing the Defendant, and there are no allegations that evidence essential to the Defendant has been lost. We agree with the District Court's conclusion that Moore did not suffer any prejudicial effect as a result of the delay in bringing the case to trial. Therefore, after balancing the four Barker factors, we hold that Moore was not deprived of his constitutional right to a speedy trial. In conclusion, having carefully considered the lengthy transcript and the record in this case along with the briefs and arguments of counsel, we hold that the District Court did not commit reversible error on any of the issues raised by Moore in this appeal. Accordingly, his conviction of deliberate homicide is AFFIRMED. TURNAGE, C.J. and HARRISON, GRAY, HUNT, WEBER and TRIEWEILER, JJ., concur.