Opinion ID: 1727420
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether the defendant was denied his right to a speedy appeal

Text: ¶ 38. Gary was convicted by a jury of armed robbery in the Circuit Court of Forrest County on July 12, 1994. On August 1, 1994, Gary's trial counsel, Honorable Jeff Bradley, filed a Motion for a New Trial or in the Alternative J.N.O.V. Bradley took no further action, the motion remained inactive, and no notice of appeal was ever filed. On June 15, 1995, Gary filed a pro se Motion to Dismiss Court Appointed Counsel, citing ineffective assistance of counsel. On September 5, 1995, Gary also filed a pro se Motion for Production of Trial Transcripts and Relevant Documents. He then filed a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, followed by a Petition for Writ of Mandamus. On January 12, 1996, the Petition for Writ of Mandamus was denied. Gary again filed a Petition for Trial Transcript in the Circuit Court of Forrest County on July 26, 1996, which was accompanied by Gary's Memorandum Brief in Support of Motion for Transcript. ¶ 39. County Court Judge Michael McPhail responded to the motion on October 21, 1996. Following that response, Circuit Court Judge Richard McKenzie granted Gary's Petition for Trial Transcript on October 31, 1996. The Court then entered an order dismissing the second Petition for Writ of Mandamus. On January 2, 1997, the Circuit Court of Forrest County granted the request of the court reporter for a 45-day extension to complete the transcription of the record. ¶ 40. On April 15, 1997, the Circuit Court of Forrest County entered an order appointing new counsel for Gary, J.B. Van Slyke. Van Slyke had been appointed Public Defender in Forrest County following the death of Bradley in November of 1996. His new counsel was granted an additional 30 days to file an Amended Motion for New Trial or in the Alternative J.N.O.V. However, no amended motion was ever filed. A hearing was held on this motion on January 8, 1998, in the Circuit Court of Forrest County. After the hearing, Gary's motion was denied. ¶ 41. On January 29, 1998, new counsel filed a Notice of Appeal in the Circuit Court of Forrest County. On June 24, 1998, Gary filed his pro se Motion to Dismiss Counsel. On October 31, 1998, Gary was notified that his appeal was dismissed due to the failure of defense counsel to file a brief on his behalf. On January 26, 1999, the Court entered an Order disposing of the Petition for Writ of Mandamus, but granting Gary 30 days in which to file his brief. On February 18, 1999, the Court entered an Order disposing of Gary's Motion for Appointment of Counsel and Motion to Hold Briefing in Abeyance and remanded to Forrest County for appointment of counsel. Honorable Michael Reed was appointed and perfected this appeal. ¶ 42. This Court has noted that the remedy for denial of a speedy appeal is not clear since this Court has never recognized such a right and does not do so now. Kolberg v. State, 704 So.2d 1307, 1320 (Miss.1997). Furthermore, this Court has previously taken the position that where no other reversible error exists, then the reversal on the grounds of a denial of a speedy appeal is inappropriate. Lanier v. State, 684 So.2d 93, 100 (Miss. 1996). ¶ 43. The appropriate test for determining whether a defendant has been denied his right to a speedy appeal is set forth in Lanier as follows: These four factors are the [L]ength of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant's assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant. With respect to the factor of prejudice, ... it should be assessed in light of the interests of defendants which the speedy trial right was designed to protect.... We identify three similar interests for prompt appeals: (1) prevention of oppressive incarceration pending appeal; (2) minimization of anxiety and concern of those convicted awaiting the outcome of their appeals; and (3) limitation of the possibility that a convicted person's grounds for appeal, and his or her defenses in case of reversal and retrial, might be impaired. Id. at 98 (quoting Rheuark v. Shaw, 628 F.2d 297, 303 n. 8 (5th Cir.1980) (citations omitted)). [A] showing of prejudice is necessary to make out a claim of a denial of a speedy appeal. Id. at 100. Prejudice, in this case, cannot be determined at this level. Accordingly, we decline to resolve this issue, but Gary shall be allowed to raise the issue of prejudice before the circuit court.