Opinion
22-K-151
04-07-2022
STATE OF LOUISIANA v. D'JUAN MACKEY IN RE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE FORTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE VERCELL FIFFIE, DIVISION "A", NUMBER 18, 157
Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy, Fredericks Homberg Wicker, and Hans J. Liljeberg
WRIT GRANTED; JUDGMENT VACATED
Relator, the State of Louisiana, seeks review of the trial court's "Order of Release" ordering defendant's release in this matter at 5:21 p.m. on April 7, 2022. For the following reasons, we grant the writ, reverse the trial court's finding that the State failed to prove just cause for a continuance of trial, and vacate the trial court's April 5, 2022 Order of Release.
On July 7, 2021, defendant, D'Juan Mackey, filed a Motion for Speedy Trial with an accompanying affidavit as required under La. C.Cr.P. art. 701(D). Shortly thereafter, on August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida impacted the 40 Judicial District Court and surrounding areas. Through a series of Orders, the 40
Judicial District Court remained closed through September 19, 2021, and all criminal jury trials were suspended and scheduled to be reset in an instructed manner during the time period of January, 2022 to March, 2022. This matter was first set for trial in March, 2022, and was continued to April 4, 2022, due to the unavailability of a State witness.
During voir dire, the lead prosecutor learned that his mother had just passed away and the State requested a continuance of trial. The trial court continued the trial until June 1, 2022, thereafter holding a contradictory hearing to address defendant's motion for immediate release without bond pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art. 701. At the hearing, the State argued that the lead prosecutor's immediate family member's death was beyond the State's control and constituted "just cause" under La. C.Cr.P. art. 701. The trial court found that the State had failed to show just cause for delay of trial until June 1, 2022. The trial judge ordered the defendant be held for 48 hours, to be released without bond on April 7, 2022 at 5:21 p.m.
Under the circumstances of this case, we find that the trial judge abused his discretion in finding that the death of the lead prosecutor's mother did not constitute just cause to support an approximate six-week delay of trial. Accordingly, we grant the State's writ application, reverse the trial court's finding, and vacate the April 5, 2022 Order of Release.
FHW
SMC
HJL
SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CHIEF JUDGE, FREDERICKA H. WICKER, JUDE G. GRAVOIS, MARC E. JOHNSON, ROBERT A. CHAISSON, STEPHEN J. WINDHORST, HANS J. LILJEBERG JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. JUDGES
NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS DAY 04/07/2022 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
E-NOTIFIED 40th District Court (Clerk) Honorable Vercell Fiffie (DISTRICT JUDGE) Orenthal J. Jasmin (Relator)
Honorable Bridget A. Dinvaut (Relator) Randy J. Dukes (Respondent)