Opinion
Crim. 2:22-cr-317-ECM
04-21-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KAWASI WILSON
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
EMILY C. MARKS CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
On April 18, 2023, the Defendant filed a notice of conflict (doc. 22), and the Court held a status conference on April 20, 2023. At the conference, the United States orally moved to continue trial. Jury selection and trial are presently set on June 5, 2023. For the reasons set forth below, the Court will grant a continuance of the trial pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7).
While the trial judge enjoys great discretion when determining whether to grant a continuance, the court is limited by the requirements of the Speedy Trial Act. 18 U.S.C. § 3161; United States v. Stitzer, 785 F.2d 1506, 1516 (11th Cir. 1986). The Act provides in part:
“In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information or indictment, or from the date the defendant has appeared before a judicial officer of the court in which such charge is pending, whichever date last occurs.”18 U.S.C. § 3161(c)(1).
The Act excludes, however, certain delays from the seventy-day period, including delays based on “findings that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.” 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A). In determining whether to grant a continuance under § 3161(h)(7), the court “shall consider,” among other factors, whether denial of a continuance would likely “result in a miscarriage of justice,” or “would deny counsel for the defendant . . . the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence.” § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i), (iv).
Counsel for the United States represents to the Court that he will be unavailable during trial due to military service, and he is the only Assistant United States Attorney familiar with this case. In addition, counsel for the Defendant represents that he cannot be adequately prepared for trial due to multiple trial settings. The Defendant does not oppose a continuance. After careful consideration, the Court finds that the ends of justice served by granting a continuance of this trial outweigh the best interest of the public and the Defendant in a speedy trial. Thus, for good cause, it is
ORDERED that the oral motion to continue is GRANTED and jury selection and trial are CONTINUED from June 5, 2023, to criminal term of court set to commence on August 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in Montgomery, Alabama. All deadlines tied to the trial date are adjusted accordingly.
The United States Magistrate Judge shall conduct a pretrial conference prior to the August trial term.