Opinion
CIVIL ACTION No. 13-3094
10-16-2014
KAREEM BLOUNT, Petitioner, v. BRIAN COLEMAN, et al., Respondents.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 16th day of October 2014, upon careful consideration of the petition for writ of habeas corpus, and after review of the Report and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge Timothy R. Rice and Petitioner's objections to the Report and Recommendation, it is ORDERED that:
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), I must make a de novo determination of the portions of the R&R to which Blount objects.
1. Petitioner's Objections to the Report and Recommendation are OVERRULED.
2. The Report and Recommendation is APPROVED and ADOPTED.
One of petitioner's claims is that trial and appellate counsel were ineffective for failing to litigate and appeal his constitutional speedy trial claim. I agree with the Magistrate Judge's conclusion that while the length of the delay (approximately sixteen months) triggered the Barker v. Wingo analysis, petitioner failed to show prejudice under Barker. 407 U.S. 514, 530-32 (1972). For completeness, I would add that the other two Barker factors—the reasons for the delay and the defendant's assertion of his right to a speedy trial—weigh slightly in petitioner's favor. See United States v. Velazquez, 749 F.3d 161, 174 (3d Cir. 2014); United States v. Battis, 589 F.3d 673, 678-80 (3d Cir. 2009). Balancing all of the Barker factors, I conclude—as the Magistrate Judge did—that the relatively short delay and Blount's failure to establish prejudice carry the most weight here. Thus, I agree with the Magistrate Judge that "because his Sixth Amendment speedy trial claim would have failed even if preserved and pursued by counsel, Blount cannot establish prejudice, as required by Strickland." R&R at 15.
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3. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DENIED and DISMISSED.
4. There is no basis for the issuance of a certificate of appealability.
/s/_________
ANITA B. BRODY, J.
Copies VIA ECF on __________ to: Copies MAILED on 10-17-2014 to: