Opinion ID: 889185
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Extent to which the Delay Stretches beyond the Trigger Date.

Text: ¶ 46 As a speedy trial analysis is triggered, we next consider the extent to which the delay, irrespective of fault for the delay stretches beyond the 200-day trigger date. The delay stretched 307 days beyond the trigger date. As a result, under Factor Two the State's burden is to explain that its delay was not caused by bad faith, negligence or lack of diligence is increased substantially. Likewise, the presumption that pretrial delay prejudiced Rose is increased and the quantum of proof expected of Rose under Factor Four is substantially decreased. ¶ 47 Factor Two: The reasons for the delay. ¶ 48 Under Factor Two, we determine whether the reasons for the delay weigh for or against the conclusion that Rose's right to a speedy trial was violated. The more delay caused by the State for unacceptable reasons (e.g., lack of diligence or bad faith), the more likely the right was violated. The more delay caused by Rose for such reasons (e.g., to avoid being brought to trial), the less likely the right was violated. See Ariegwe, ¶¶ 71-72, 108-09. ¶ 49 On January 11, 2002, Rose made his first appearance in Justice Court and was later scheduled to be arraigned in District Court on February 6, 2002. At his arraignment in District Court, Rose moved to continue for an additional week before he pled so his counsel could review discovery materials, which was granted. Thus, we attribute seven days of delay to Rose. ¶ 50 On February 13, Rose appeared with counsel and pleaded not guilty. An Omnibus hearing was set for March 6, 2002. At the Omnibus hearing Rose was unprepared and requested a further delay to investigate whether he should move for a change of venue. This delay was granted. The court gave Rose until March 27 to make his motion. Thus we attribute 21 days of delay to Rose. At this time the court also set a settlement conference for April 18. ¶ 51 On April 10, at a scheduled status hearing, Rose appeared with counsel and moved for a continuance of the April 18 settlement conference. The State objected, arguing it was necessary to press ahead in order to avoid speedy trial issues. However, the District Court granted Rose's motion and set a new settlement conference for May 2. On April 25, the District Court set Rose's trial for July 29. Thus, we attribute only 7 days of delay to Rose for the time between April 18 and April 25 when the District Court set the first trial date. ¶ 52 As noted in ¶¶ 15 and 16, the District Court held to the July 29 trial date, even though Rose began making complaints about his lawyer until July 11, when Rose moved to continue the trial and filed a waiver of his right to a speedy trial. Based on this motion, the trial was continued from July 29 until November 18, 2002. Thus, an additional 102 days of delay is attributed to Rose. ¶ 53 We note here that in most cases, once the defendant waived his right to a speedy trial, it is unnecessary to continue with an analysis of whether that right has been violated. However, in this case, the trial was not held as re-scheduled. Thus, we continue with the speedy trial analysis. ¶ 54 On October 25, 2002, Rose appeared in court with counsel and moved to continue the November 18 trial for the purpose of obtaining a psychological examination to determine if the defense of mental disease or defect should be raised. [1] At yet another hearing held on October 28, 2002, the State objected to any further delay. It was the State, not Rose, which was concerned with Rose's right to a speedy trial. Rose said he understood that the exam would cause a further delay, but nevertheless desired to proceed with the mental examination. The District Court granted Rose's motion. At this time the court held off on rescheduling the trial until the examination was completed. On February 18, 2003, after the defense received the results of the psychological examination, the court set trial for May 12, 2003. Thus, we attribute an additional 171 days to Rose for the time between November 18, 2002, and May 12, 2003. ¶ 55 On March 11, 2003, the trial was moved from May 12 to June 2, due to conflicts in the court's calendar. On June 2, 2003, the trial commenced as scheduled. ¶ 56 Based on our analysis of the record, of the 507 days of delay we attribute 199 days to the State and 308 days to Rose, as detailed above in ¶¶ 48-54. ¶ 57 Institutional delay is delay that is inherent in the justice system and largely beyond the control of the justice system. This delay is attributed to the state but weighs less heavily against the State than delay caused by lack of diligence or bad faith in the balancing process because it is not delay that the State actively pursued or encouraged. State v. Atkins, 277 Mont. 103, 107, 920 P.2d 481, 483 (1996). In this case, all of the delay attributable to the State is institutional delay. The record clearly reflects the State objected to Rose's requests for postponements from the beginning of the process. In this case it was the State, not Rose, concerned with protecting his right to a speedy trial. ¶ 58 To the contrary, Rose made complaints about his counsel and then withdrew those complaints, only to make the same complaints and again withdraw them. When a defendant makes requests for new counsel and then withdraws those requests only to renew those requests later, requiring a hearing and ultimately resulting in the withdrawal of counsel, the delay caused is appropriately attributed to the defendant. State v. Ellenburg, 2000 MT 232, ¶¶ 22-24, 301 Mont. 289, ¶¶ 22-24, 8 P.3d 801, ¶¶ 22-24; State v. Collier, 277 Mont. 46, 55-56, 919 P.2d 376, 382-83 (1996). Also, when the District Court inquired into Rose's complaints and explained that, if they were substantial, a hearing would be conducted to decide if counsel should be replaced, Rose said he would proceed. When he again complained about his representation, the District Court carefully explained to Rose that if he wanted new counsel it would cause a delay. Rose accepted the delay and went so far to file a waiver of his right to a speedy trial. Then, after new counsel had time to prepare, and shortly before the trial was set, Rose filed a new request for further delay to advance a new defense, and then again complained about his lawyer's representation. Based on this record, we conclude it was Rose who caused the greater portion of the delay in bringing this case to trial. ¶ 59 Factor Three: Response to the delay and assertion of speedy trial right. ¶ 60 A defendant must assert his speedy trial right before the case goes to trial in order to assert the right on appeal. The evaluation of Rose's response to the delay must be based on surrounding circumstances, such as timeliness, persistence and sincerity of any objection to the delay, the reasons for any acquiescence in delay, and his pretrial conduct (as that conduct bears on the speedy trial right). See Ariegwe, ¶¶ 79-81. Conduct evidencing a desire to be brought to trial promptly weighs in Rose's favor whereas conduct demonstrating a desire to avoid trial weighs against Rose in the overall balancing. See Ariegwe, ¶ 85. ¶ 61 Rose, in a half-hearted fashion, asserted his right to speedy trial in letters sent directly to the District Court on March 11 and 28, 2003, and in his writ of habeas corpus filed on April 16, 2003. He was also advised on several occasions that his various motions would result in delay of trial, at which time he said he understood but still wanted to make his belated motions even though he knew they would cause delay. He finally filed a formal motion to dismiss for lack of a speedy trial on May 23, 2003, 497 days after he was arrested and 10 days before trial commenced. ¶ 62 The State's response to the motions for delay indicates its desire to proceed to trial. The State was diligent in its attempt to bring the matter to trial. ¶ 63 The record in this case shows it was Rose who caused the delay over the objections of the prosecution. In sum, Factor Three tips the balance substantially against dismissal for lack of a speedy trial. ¶ 64 Factor Four: Prejudice to Rose. ¶ 65 A presumption the accused was prejudiced by a trial delay arises after 200 days. As the length of delay grows beyond 200 days, the prejudice intensifies. Ariegwe, ¶ 56. The court must weigh each party's evidence (or lack thereof) in light of this intensifying presumption. Ariegwe, ¶¶ 49, 51. Specifically, as the delay gets longer, the accused's duty to show prejudice decreases while the necessary showing by the State of no prejudice simultaneously increases. ¶ 66 The length of delay in this case is sufficient to raise the presumption of prejudice to the degree that the State must make a highly persuasive showing Rose was not prejudiced by the delay. ¶ 67 The determination of how much mental and physical discomfort a defendant is forced to endure because of delay between the time of his or her arrest and the trial is a fact intensive inquiry. The factual nature of this determination is a principal reason why the trial courts, who personally see and hear the defendant and other witnesses, should in the ordinary case consider whether a defendant's right to a speedy trial has been violated. However, as noted above, this is not the ordinary case and this Court has a fully developed record which contains the trial judge's findings of fact concerning the degree which Rose personally suffered. ¶ 68 First, Rose argues his pretrial incarceration was oppressive, noting his weight loss and his grievance forms about the food and temperature at the Ravalli County Detention Center. Next, he argues the delay of his trial caused him substantial anxiety and concern as demonstrated by his nail biting, his mental illness for which he sought treatment, his parents' health problems and divorce, and his loss of work and contact with his daughter. These claims can be considered in light of the District Court's findings of fact. ¶ 69 i. Oppressive Pretrial Incarceration. ¶ 70 In assessing whether the pretrial incarceration in a given case is oppressive, we consider all of the circumstances surrounding the incarceration. In Ariegwe, we identified a number of pertinent circumstances, including the duration of the incarceration, the complexity of the charged offense(s), any misconduct on the part of the accused directly related to the pretrial incarceration (e.g., a demonstrated likelihood to flee the jurisdiction of the court), whether the accused was incarcerated on a separate charge while awaiting trial on the instant charge, and the conditions of the incarceration, such as overcrowding and lack of recreational opportunities, adequate food, climate control, proper medical care, cleanliness, or legal research capabilities. Ariegwe, ¶¶ 90-93. ¶ 71 We agree with the District Court's findings of fact that although Rose's pretrial incarceration was lengthy, neither its length nor the conditions of incarceration were unduly oppressive in light of the very serious offenses with which Rose was charged, Rose's criminal history, and the potential danger Rose's release would pose to others. In addition, there is substantial evidence in the record which supports the District Court's determination Rose received sufficient medical treatment for a hip problem and other medical conditions while he was in detention, including medical appointments with a nurse and a physician, as well as treatment with various pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. ¶ 72 In regard to Rose's complaints that his medical needs were not met, we also agree with the District Court and the United States District Court that the detention staff acted appropriately in their responses to grievances and were reasonably responsive to his mental health needs. [2] ¶ 73 There is evidence the temperature in the jail was unsatisfactory for a short time. However, the problem was corrected. Considering the particular difficulties Rose suffered while incarcerated we do not conclude the District Court erred in finding that Rose's time in jail was not so uncomfortable that it was oppressive. ¶ 74 ii. The Accused's Anxiety and Concern. ¶ 75 [T]he speedy trial guarantee serves `to shorten the disruption of life caused by arrest and the presence of unresolved criminal charges,' not to eliminate the disruption altogether. Ariegwe ¶ 97 (quoting United States v. MacDonald, 456 U.S. 1, 8, 102 S.Ct. 1497, 1502, 71 L.Ed.2d 696 (1982)). The question is whether the delay in bringing Rose to trial unduly prolonged the disruption or aggravated the anxiety and concern inherent in being accused of a crime. Ariegwe, ¶¶ 97, 147. ¶ 76 Although the length of delay is, in this instance, significant, the State demonstrated Rose was, to say the least, anxious and in mental turmoil before his arrest on these charges. While his incarceration pending trial may have increased his mental unrest, Rose suffered with anxiety and mental illness before his arrest and had refused treatment. In fact, it was while he was incarcerated on these charges he finally requested and received treatment. ¶ 77 Rose claims the delay exacerbated his anxiety and concern because Rose's mother underwent surgery and he was unable to be with her while she was ill. He also claims that being unable to spend more time with his teenage daughter caused additional anxiety and concern. We agree with the District Court while Mrs. Rose's medical condition was undoubtedly a source of anxiety for Rose, there is no evidence this anxiety was any greater than would reasonably be expected for someone who has a family member with a serious medical condition. In regard to his daughter, Rose did not spend much time with her previously, but only claimed he was trying to form a relationship at the time of his arrest. The District Court concluded any anxiety and concern Rose suffered regarding these family relationships may have been caused by his incarceration, but were not unduly aggravated by the delay in his trial. We cannot conclude from the record that the District Court erred in this regard. ¶ 78 iii. The Possibility that the Defense will be impaired. ¶ 79 The third interest protected in a consideration of prejudice to the defense caused by a delay in trial relates to the accused's ability to present an effective defense. Ariegwe, ¶ 98. Impairment of one's defense can be difficult to prove because time's erosion of exculpatory evidence and testimony can rarely be shown. For this reason, affirmative proof of particularized prejudice is not essential to every speedy trial claim. Ariegwe, ¶ 99. ¶ 80 Rose argues the delay in bringing him to trial damaged his ability to present an effective defense because cell phone records disappeared, the truck in which the kidnapping took place was no longer available, and various witnesses were no longer available or could not remember certain details of the events in question. ¶ 81 However, in spite of the delay, the State was able to demonstrate Rose's ability to present an effective defense was not demonstrably impaired. While incarcerated, Rose had access to at least three lawyers and a private investigator. While he did not always agree with the tactics and techniques of his attorneys, he had the ability to consult with them, advise them where evidence could be collected, and assist them in preparation for trial. With the use of his special investigator, Rose was able to secure and preserve any information or evidence which could have been exculpatory. ¶ 82 Rose's defense, after he decided to forgo the defense of mental disease or defect, was based on justifiable use of force. There were only two persons present at the time of the altercation between himself and Mr. Davies. Considering the circumstances, there is no reason to believe that cell phone records he claims are missing or the absence of his pickup would have provided evidence which would tend to exculpate him. Nor is there any showing that a witness forgot exculpatory evidence. Likewise, there is nothing in the record revealing what the witnesses Rose claims could not be located could have testified to, nor is there a showing of how their testimony could have been relevant to his defense. ¶ 83 The District Court concluded Rose was intimately familiar with the legal system and willing and able to assert every possible legal claim available. This weighs against him when deciding if his defense was impaired, which has been considered by many courts to be the most important factor in this analysis. Ariegwe, ¶ 98. See Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 532, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2193, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972); State v. Price, 2001 MT 212, ¶ 28, 306 Mont. 381, ¶ 28, 34 P.3d 112, ¶ 28. ¶ 84 iv. Factor Four Summary. ¶ 85 In summary, Rose was incarcerated 507 days. However, due to the severity of the crimes and his criminal history, the length of time he was incarcerated does not rise to the level of oppressive. While Rose suggests his medical treatment was not sufficient, we conclude that under these circumstances, he was not unduly prejudiced by lack of medical care. The anxiety Rose suffered existed before his arrest and was not overly aggravated by delay. The anxiety Rose suffered came from the nature of the offenses and the general jail experience, not the delay in bringing him to trial. While the delay may have caused some witnesses to forget some details, there is no evidence this hampered his defense. Nor is there any indication as to how any alleged missing evidence would have been used at trial. ¶ 86 Balancing. ¶ 87 We next determine whether Rose was deprived of his right to speedy trial in light of the facts of the case and the weight assigned to each of the four factors laid out above. None of the factors is dispositive by itself; rather, the factors are related and must be considered together with such other circumstances as may be relevant. Ariegwe, ¶ 153. ¶ 88 Factor One weighs in favor of Rose. The period between his arrest and his trial date is 507 days. This is indeed a substantial delay. However, considering the reasons for the delay under Factor Two, the length of the delay does not require that the charges be dismissed. The entire 199 days of delay attributable to the State is institutional delay. The remaining portion of the delay, 308 days, was not only caused by Rose, the State repeatedly objected to his motions for continuances. Thus, we must conclude that Rose's right to a speedy trial was not violated by the length of the delay. ¶ 89 Considering Rose's desire to proceed to trial, after the greater portion of the delay was incurred, he asserted his right to speedy trial but then delayed the trial by subsequent motions. In sum, Rose's actions were inconsistent with someone who desires to be brought to trial. ¶ 90 Finally, taking into consideration the crimes for which Rose was being held, the length of time incarcerated cannot be considered oppressive. The mental and physical problems Rose has were not unduly compounded by the amount of time he spent incarcerated. ¶ 91 Importantly, an examination of the record leads to the conclusion that Rose's ability to defend himself was not impaired by the delay between his arrest and the trial. ¶ 92 The District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Rose's motion to dismiss for lack of a speedy trial. ¶ 93 Issue 2: Did the District Court err when it failed to hold a hearing on Rose's complaints of ineffective assistance of counsel? ¶ 94 Rose alleges the District Court erred in failing to hold a hearing on his complaints of ineffective assistance of counsel. The right to counsel does not include the right to select an attorney of one's own choosing or to require the particular attorney be appointed. State v. Pepperling, 177 Mont. 464, 472, 582 P.2d 341, 346 (1978). ¶ 95 We will not overturn a district court's decision on a request for the appointment of new counsel absent an abuse of discretion. Gallagher, ¶ 10. The substitution of counsel is within the district court's sound discretion. City of Billings, 281 Mont. at 136, 932 P.2d at 1060. ¶ 96 A defendant is entitled to a hearing on the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel where the defendant presents a `seemingly substantial complaint' about effective assistance. City of Billings, 281 Mont. at 136, 932 P.2d at 1060 (quoting State v. Weaver, 276 Mont. 505, 511, 917 P.2d 437, 441 (1996)). The inquiry by the district court is sufficient if the district court considers the defendant's factual complaints together with counsel's specific explanations addressing the complaints. City of Billings, 281 Mont. at 136-37, 932 P.2d at 1060. ¶ 97 Rose sent letters directly to the judge regarding his concerns with his first court appointed attorney, Mansch. In response to the first letter, the judge questioned Rose about his current representation. Rose responded that the problems had been addressed, and no further conversation on the topic was needed: Court: Mr. Rose, we had been here to address your concerns about your attorney. I'm now in possession of a letter received by the court yesterday where you appeared to indicate that you've worked through whatever concerns you have with Mr. Mansch here. Are you currently satisfied with his representation? Rose: Yes. Your Honor, the complaints I made last week in the letter were some things that I felt that we needed to go over and hadn't gone over yet, and we've started to go over those things and started to work on some of those things, so, you know, that's what I was making reference to in the letter yesterday. Court: So at this time then there's no need to address the adequacy of your representation; is that correct? Rose: Yes. Court: Okay. ¶ 98 Later, upon receiving another complaint letter from Rose, the judge once again inquired into the matter and Rose responded he still had the same concerns and felt a new attorney was the best option. The judge, following the procedure suggested in Weaver, suggested a full hearing to determine if the complaints were so substantial that a different attorney was required. No hearing was held, however, as the lawyer said it would be more efficient for him to step aside. Rose and the District Court agreed. ¶ 99 Another lawyer, Gahagan, was appointed and represented Rose for about a month before he was replaced by Sather. In January of 2003 Rose began sending letters to the court directly complaining about Sather. On February 12, 2003, the court questioned Rose about his representation by Sather. Rose responded he had concerns with her, but they were beginning to work through those. Rose also explained to the court he was upset with the system in general. Finally, Rose informed the District Court that he 31 simply wanted his concerns to be heard and noted by the court. As the District Court inquired into Rose's complaints and determined that he was in fact happy with counsel, there was no need to conduct a hearing to inquire further. See Gallagher, ¶ 15. ¶ 100 On April 16, 2003, after receiving more letters from Rose complaining about Sather, the District Court appointed another attorney, Sasha Brownlee, to inquire into Rose's complaints. ¶ 101 After multiple meetings with both Rose and Sather, Brownlee filed a report with the court on May 16, 2003. Brownlee advised the District Court Rose made it clear to her he did not want Sather replaced; rather he wanted her to do things his way. Brownlee also advised the District Court that Sather's communication with Rose was not deficient. Rose did not inform the District Court that Brownlee's conclusions were wrong, nor has he argued on appeal that her advice to the District Court was inaccurate. ¶ 102 When the District Court asked Rose what his problems with his lawyers were, he voiced no seemingly substantial complaints. When the District Court appointed yet another lawyer to inquire into Rose's complaints about Sather, he told her he did not want her replaced. The District Court did not err in failing to hold a separate hearing to determine if Rose was being effectively represented by counsel. See Gallagher, ¶ 15. ¶ 103 Issue 3: Did the District Court abuse its discretion in denying Rose's motion for a new trial on the basis that the prosecutor's statements during the State's closing argument denied Rose a fair and impartial trial? ¶ 104 Rose alleges two particular segments of the State's closing argument violated his right to a fair trial guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 24, of the Montana Constitution. ¶ 105 Rose first objects to the following comment made by the prosecutor near the end of his argument: The real question is, and the one reason the defendant took the stand in this particular case and just told you so many untruthful things, is he doesn't think you'll hold him accountable. He doesn't think that you, as members of the community, have the nerve to hold him accountable for his actions. He thinks that if he gets up and tells the big lie, that you're too gullible, you're too naïve, you're too nice to imagine that anyone would do that, and he hopes that by doing that, he will escape his responsibility. ¶ 106 A prosecutor invades the jury's province and engages in highly improper behavior when an attorney characterizes the defendant or witnesses as liars or offers personal opinions on a witness's credibility. State v. Racz, 2007 MT 244, ¶ 36, 339 Mont. 218, ¶ 36, 168 P.3d 685, ¶ 36; State v. Hanson, 283 Mont. 316, 326, 940 P.2d 1166, 1172 (1997). However, to properly preserve an issue for appeal the defendant must make a timely objection or it is considered waived. Section 46-20-104(2), MCA. Rose did not contemporaneously object to this statement and thus the objection was waived. [3] Having failed to object, Rose requests we employ our discretionary plain error review and reverse on this issue. ¶ 107 Our review of the closing arguments fails to persuade us the prosecutor's comments resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice, undermined the trial's fundamental fairness, or compromised the judicial process's integrity. We conclude Rose failed to preserve this argument for appeal and we decline to exercise our discretionary plain error review and do not consider this matter further. See Racz, ¶ 36. ¶ 108 The second statement Rose objects to is about one of the weapons Rose used. In his closing argument the prosecutor said: There's no question these things are weapons. There's just no question. We have got a utility knife  we all know this is the same sort of thing that the people that hijack the airplanes that ran into the World Trade Center, this is what they used. ¶ 109 Rose asserts on appeal that using this language 21 months after the September 11 terrorist attacks was an improper tactic which appealed to the patriotic emotions of the jury. In this instance the prosecutor referred to the type of knife supposedly used in the attacks of September 11 as an example of how a utility knife could be a weapon of which one could reasonably be afraid. Again, Rose did not object to this analogy and our review of the record does not persuade us that the prosecutor's comment resulted in a manifest miscarriage of justice, undermined the trial's fundamental fairness, or compromised the judicial process's integrity and we decline to exercise our discretionary plain error review. See Racz, ¶ 34; State v. Daniels, 2003 MT 247, ¶ 20, 317 Mont. 331, ¶ 20, 77 P.3d 224, ¶ 20. ¶ 110 Issue 4: Was Rose's trial counsel ineffective before she was removed, thus requiring a mistrial? ¶ 111 A criminal defendant's right to counsel is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 24 of the Montana Constitution. The right to counsel means the right to effective assistance of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2063, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). ¶ 112 This Court has adopted the two-prong test first enunciated by the United States Supreme Court in Strickland for evaluating a defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. See e.g. State v. Meza, 2006 MT 210, ¶ 27, 333 Mont. 305, ¶ 27, 143 P.3d 422, ¶ 27; State v. Jefferson, 2003 MT 90, ¶ 43, 315 Mont. 146, ¶ 43, 69 P.3d 641, ¶ 43; State v. Rose, 1998 MT 342, ¶ 12, 292 Mont. 350, ¶ 12, 972 P.2d 321, ¶ 12. A defendant who brings an ineffective assistance of counsel claim bears the burden of showing: (1) his counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) his counsel's failure was prejudicial. Jefferson, ¶ 43 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 668, 104 S.Ct. at 2052). ¶ 113 In regard to the first prong of the Strickland test  whether counsel's performance was deficient  the inquiry must be `whether counsel's assistance was reasonable considering all the circumstances.' Whitlow v. State, 2008 MT 140, ¶ 14, 343 Mont. 90, ¶ 14, 183 P.3d 861, ¶ 14 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2065). Every effort must be made to eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the circumstances of counsel's challenged conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from counsel's perspective at the time. Whitlow, ¶ 15 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065). ¶ 114 The pertinent inquiry, therefore, is not whether counsel acted because of ignorance or neglect but, rather, whether counsel's conduct fell below an objective standard of reasonableness measured under prevailing professional norms under the surrounding circumstances. Whitlow, ¶ 20 ¶ 115 Under the second prong of Strickland, the defendant must show the existence of a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional conduct, the result of the proceedings would have been different. Jefferson, ¶ 53 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. at 2068). The prejudice inquiry focuses on whether counsel's deficient performance renders the trial result unreliable or the proceedings fundamentally unfair. Jefferson, ¶ 53 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 696, 104 S.Ct. at 2069). ¶ 116 Rose made no claim on appeal his counsel was ineffective by causing the delay between the time he was arrested and the time he was brought to trial. ¶ 117 Even though Rose discharged his counsel and represented himself, he claims on appeal Sather was ineffective before he discharged her because during voir dire she failed to either properly question, or attempt to remove for cause, a prospective juror who previously worked at the county attorney's office. Rose asserts he is entitled to a new trial, relying on State v. Lamere, 2005 MT 118, 327 Mont. 115, 112 P.3d 1005, where defense counsel admitted he was negligent in reviewing a jury questionnaire, and allowed a mother of a paralegal who worked for the prosecutor's office to sit on the jury. ¶ 118 A defendant is guaranteed an impartial jury by Article II, Section 24 of the Montana Constitution. Lamere, ¶ 7. Voir dire in a criminal proceeding requires adequate questioning to assure counsel's ability to challenge a prospective juror for cause. Lamere, ¶ 15; State v. Herrman, 2003 MT 149, ¶ 23, 316 Mont. 198, ¶ 23, 70 P.3d 738, ¶ 23. ¶ 119 In this case, defense counsel has not admitted a mistake, as was the case in Lamere. In conducting voir dire, the prosecutor listed the witnesses that may be called to testify and then asked if any veniremen knew them. One remarked she knew one of the potential witnesses, a retired detective, because a couple of years previously she had held a temporary position in the county attorney's office. She then stated she would not tend to favor one side or the other and could hear the evidence and decide the case. She stated she would be fair. In her voir dire for the defense, Sather confirmed this potential juror knew the named witness. The juror then stated she also knew the Roses, years previously. ¶ 120 There is nothing in the record that indicates this juror held any bias or prejudice. She had, years before, worked as a temporary employee in the county attorney's office and was also acquainted with the defendant's family. These facts do not indicate a bias or a prejudice. When there is nothing in the record to indicate a potential juror is biased, this Court does not presume she harbors a bias or prejudice. Cf. State v. Ibarra-Salas, 2007 MT 173, ¶ 22, 338 Mont. 191, ¶ 22, 164 P.3d 898, ¶ 22 (stating there is no presumption of juror bias for or against members of any particular racial or ethnic group). The juror, without coaching, affirmatively stated she could be fair, and would hear the evidence and decide the issues presented to her. As there is no record this particular juror had any bias or prejudice, we conclude counsel's assistance did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness measured under prevailing professional norms under the surrounding circumstances. Whitlow, ¶ 20 ¶ 121 Finally, Rose takes a shotgun approach and argues under the second prong of Strickland he probably would not have been convicted if his counsel inspected and tested blood evidence in Davies' pickup where the offense occurred, because counsel did not object to evidence concerning his use of methamphetamine, and because counsel made no objection to a jury instruction that an intoxicated condition is not an excuse to commit a crime. ¶ 122 Rose argues the failure to preserve the pickup led to his inability to present blood evidence. Davies testified, and Rose does not deny, both he and Davies suffered bloody injuries in the cab of the pickup. How blood evidence could have been exculpatory remains a mystery. ¶ 123 Relating to methamphetamine use, after the trial had started, Rose decided to change his defense theory from lack of ability to form the intent to commit an offense because of mental disease or defect, to justifiable use of force. He then discharged his counsel, and proceeded pro se. When the State called the victim to testify, he said without objection, Rose was agitated and nervous the day of the offenses, that Rose told him that his girlfriend had spiked his hot chocolate with meth or speed, and that Rose wanted to go to a treatment center. Rose himself testified he was afraid and nervous that day, and also he would have gone to a treatment center. He also testified about his methamphetamine use. On appeal, Rose has not made a cogent argument as to why evidence of his methamphetamine use was error. Even if there were an error in introduction of such evidence, its introduction is attributable to Rose himself, not appointed counsel. Also, considering the evidence introduced, we see no error in giving the instruction concerning voluntary intoxication. ¶ 124 We conclude appointed counsel's assistance was reasonable considering all the circumstances and did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness measured under prevailing professional norms. Whitlow, ¶ 20 ¶ 125 Affirmed. We Concur: W. WILLIAM LEAPHART, JIM RICE and SUSAN P. WATTERS [] , JJ.