Opinion ID: 792321
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Summer 1994 — Summer 1995

Text: 14 As mentioned, the state court adjourned the trial date of June 3, 1994, pending resolution of the entrapment motion, and finally ruled on that motion on July 14, 1994. On July 29, 1994, the trial was continued yet again. Although the record is somewhat unclear, it appears that Michigan caused this continuance by failing to transport Petitioner Maples from the correctional institution to the trial. After continuing the trial in July 1994, it is nowhere clear why the trial court failed to reschedule the case for trial in August, September, or October 1994. 15 On November 18, 1994, and again on December 7, 1994, co-defendant Murphy moved to adjourn the trial. Petitioner Maples did not join these motions to continue. Indeed, on December 24, 1994, Petitioner wrote a pro se letter to the trial court, requesting new counsel, and complaining that his counsel had not filed a speedy trial claim at the end of November. In early January 1995, Maples filed a pro se motion seeking dismissal for violations of the 180-day rule and his constitutional speedy trial right. 16 On April 28, 1995, the Court re-set Petitioner's trial for June 22, 1995, due to trial in another matter. On June 27, 1995, the court continued the trial once again until August 29, 1995, providing no reason. On August 22, 1995, Petitioner again filed a motion to dismiss for violations of the 180-day rule and his constitutional speedy trial right. 17 On August 29, 1995, the trial was again continued until September 19, 1995, because plea negotiations failed. The Respondent admits that these plea negotiations involved co-defendant Murphy, not Maples. On September 19, 1995, co-defendant Murphy pled guilty. Also on September 19, 1995, the Court denied Petitioner's motion to dismiss. On September 20, 1995, the date of Petitioner's trial, Petitioner reaffirmed his desire to reject the prosecution's plea offer. Petitioner also expressed his intention to call co-defendant Murphy as a witness. Thereafter, jury selection began. Before jury selection was complete, Petitioner again moved for dismissal based on a speedy-trial violation. Following jury selection, Petitioner pled guilty.