McDaniel v. State, 96-323
| Citation | 945 P.2d 1186 |
| Decision Date | 01 October 1997 |
| Docket Number | No. 96-323,96-323 |
| Parties | Donald Eugene McDANIEL, Appellant (Defendant), v. The STATE of Wyoming, Appellee (Plaintiff). |
| Court | United States State Supreme Court of Wyoming |
Sylvia Lee Hackl, State Public Defender; Donna Domonkos, Appellate Counsel; Jason M. Tangeman, Assistant Appellate Counsel, for Appellant (Defendant).
William U. Hill, Attorney General; Paul S. Rehurek, Deputy Attorney General; D. Michael Pauling, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Colleen K. Coebergh, Special Assistant Attorney General, for Appellee (Plaintiff).
Before TAYLOR, C.J., THOMAS, MACY, GOLDEN and LEHMAN, JJ.
Appellant Donald Eugene McDaniel was convicted on two counts of first degree sexual assault and received consecutive sentences of not less than fifteen years in the state prison. He contends that his conviction should be reversed and the case against him dismissed for violation of his statutory and constitutional right to a speedy trial.
We affirm the conviction and sentence.
McDaniel and the State agree that this case presents this issue for our review:
Whether the appellant's guarantee to a speedy trial pursuant to the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, Art. 1, § 10 of the Wyoming Constitution, and Rule 48 of the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure was violated?
McDaniel was arrested on charges of first degree sexual assault on December 21, 1995, and arraigned in district court on January 8, 1996. At the arraignment, defense counsel requested to peremptorily disqualify the trial judge, but the judge refused to act on an oral motion and instructed that the motion be filed in writing. Defense counsel filed that motion the next day, January 9, 1996, and also filed motions for speedy trial, discovery, and intent to introduce Rule 404(b) evidence. Also on January 9, the trial judge whom the defense had moved to disqualify entered an order setting trial for March 11, 1996.
In the middle of February, the prosecution notified the defense that the clerk of court required it to submit an order for a change in judges, and the case was assigned to a new judge on February 22, 1996. Immediately recognizing that a speedy trial concern was presented, the new judge met with counsel on February 23, 1996, and sent them a letter on February 26 indicating that the court's schedule would not accommodate a trial setting within 120 days of McDaniel's January 8 arraignment. Accordingly, the court determined that it would invoke WYO. R.CRIM. P. 48(b)(4)(B)(iii) to exclude from the 120-day calculation the days spent waiting for the assignment order.
Over three weeks later, on March 19, 1996, McDaniel filed an objection to extending the speedy trial date but did not file a request for setting. At a hearing on March 27, 1996, the court heard the objection along with other defense motions. Trial was set for and held on June 26, 1996, which was 170 days from the date of McDaniel's arraignment. McDaniel was unable to post bond during this period and remained incarcerated.
At the hearing on McDaniel's objection to extending the speedy trial date, the court invoked Rule 48 to extend the speedy trial date. Rule 48 is a procedural rule designed to protect a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial. Hall v. State, 911 P.2d 1364, 1370-71 (Wyo.1996). Included within the rule are the factors to be considered in evaluation of a constitutional speedy trial claim. This Court, as with other procedural rules, will examine claims based upon procedural violations of the rule. Id.
RULE 48. Dismissal.
* * *
(b) Speedy trial.
(1) It is the responsibility of the court, counsel and the defendant to insure that the defendant is timely tried.
(2) A criminal charge shall be brought to trial within 120 days following arraignment unless continued as provided in this rule.
(3) The following periods shall be excluded in computing the time for trial:
(A) All proceedings related to the mental illness or deficiency of the defendant;
(B) Proceedings on another charge;
(C) Delay granted by the court pursuant to paragraph (4) or (5);
(D) The time between the dismissal and the refiling of the same charge; and
(E) Delay occasioned by defendant's change of counsel or application therefor.
(4) Continuances not to exceed six months from the date of arraignment may be granted by the trial court as follows:
(A) On motion of defendant supported by affidavit; or
(B) On motion of the attorney for the state or the court if:
(i) The defendant expressly consents;
(ii) The state's evidence is unavailable and the prosecution has exercised due diligence; or
(iii) Required in the due administration of justice and the defendant will not be substantially prejudiced; and
(C) If a continuance is proposed by the state or the court, the defendant shall be notified. If the defendant objects, the defendant must show in writing how the delay may prejudice the defense.
* * * *
The record shows that a jury trial was set for March 11, 1996, but could not begin because the defense requested a new judge. There was a 45-day delay waiting for the assignment of a new judge. The judge extended the speedy trial date on February 26, the defense objected on March 19, and a hearing was held on March 27 on this objection and several other defense motions. After ruling on those motions, the court set a trial date. The parties devote a great portion of their briefs arguing whether or not the defense should be charged with these several delays for purposes of speedy trial analysis. Our review of the court's ruling at the March 27 hearing indicates that the court invoked Rule 48 based on the exception found in 4(B)(iii) which allows a continuance when required for the due administration of justice and there is no substantial prejudice to the defendant. The court found that it had properly notified the parties by letter on February 26 that it intended to impose a continuance as permitted by Rule 48 and ruled that the continuance was proper because the delay caused by the defense requesting a change in judges resulted in the court's inability to schedule a three-day trial until June 25. It was within the court's discretion to determine that these circumstances required the continuance, and its ruling will be upheld on appeal because the trial court complied with the rule, and trial was held within six months from the date of arraignment.
The court found that the defense alleged substantial prejudice solely because of pretrial custody and ruled that did not show unfair prejudice. On appeal, McDaniel contends the district court incorrectly determined he did not suffer prejudice from the delays. H...
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