Opinion
WOODS (Fred), J. Does the statutory preference for a joint trial (Pen. Code, § 1098)1 constitute good cause (§ 1382) to delay for six months the murder trial of an in-custody defendant? Our answer is yes, if, as in the instant case, the circumstances are sufficiently exceptional.
Factual and Procedural Background
On May 13, 1983, according to the information, Roy Radin was kidnapped and murdered. On May 3, 1984, June Mincher was murdered and Christian Pierce was the victim of an attempted murder.
Not until September 27, 1988, five and one-half years after the Radin murder, were charges filed. Petitioner, William Molony Mentzer, Alex Lamota Marti, and Robert Ulmer Lowe were charged with having murdered Radin. Mentzer, Lowe, and Robert Leroy Deremer were charged with having murdered Mincher.
On October 2, 1988, petitioner was arrested in Orlando, Florida. About two and a half months later, on December 27, 1988, she waived extradition and on January 12, 1989, was arraigned on the complaint.
Sometime before May 12, 1989, a preliminary hearing for only Lowe and/or Deremer was held.
On May 12, 1989, a second preliminary hearing, this one for petitioner, Mentzer, and Marti began. It did not end until two months later, on July 12, 1989. All three were held to answer.
[492]The information charged each of them with the capital murder (§ 187, subd. (a)) and kidnapping (§ 207) of Roy Radin. It also charged Mentzer, in separate counts, with the capital murder of June Mincher and the attempted murder of Christian Pierce (§§ 664/187, subd. (a)).
Petitioner was arraigned on August 4, 1989, and had a trial setting hearing on September 7, 1989. At that hearing petitioner and her two codefendants all waived time until January 8, 1990, the designated trial date.
On November 6, 1989, petitioner’s severance motion was denied but the court did sever the Radin charges (counts I and IV) from the Mincher and Pierce charges (counts II and III).
On December 4, 1989, Mentzer and Marti each moved for a lengthy continuance in order to adequately prepare for trial. Marti filed declarations2 by his investigator and one of his attorneys detailing pretrial investigation deemed essential to his defense. Counsel for Mentzer, at side bar, similarly described extensive investigation necessary for his defense.3 The court found good cause, granted the continuance motions, and set the trial for all three defendants on July 23, 1990. Petitioner, although she did not oppose the continuance for her codefendants, did object to having her trial delayed. She unequivocally did not waive time and insisted upon a January 8, 1990, trial.
On January 16, 1990, petitioner filed a motion to dismiss which was heard and denied on January 23, 1990.
Thereafter, on January 29, 1990, petitioner filed this petition seeking a writ of mandate and/or prohibition directing the trial court to dismiss the information because she had not been brought to trial within the section 1382 statutory period.
Discussion
The right to a speedy trial
The right of a criminal defendant to a speedy trial is protected by both the United States Constitution (U.S. Const., 6th Amend.) and the California Constitution (Cal. Const., art. I, § 15). This fundamental [493]constitutional right is “supplemented" (Townsend v. Superior Court (1975) 15 Cal.3d 774, 781 [126 Cal.Rptr. 251, 543 P.2d 619]) by statutes.
Section 1382 provides that “[t]he court, unless good cause to the contrary is shown, shall order the action to be dismissed . . . [w]hen a defendant is not brought to trial in a superior court within 60 days after the . . . filing of the information. . . .” (Italics added.) The 60-day period may be extended “at the request of the defendant or with the defendant’s consent.” (Ibid.)
Section 1098, potentially intersecting section 1382, provides in part: “When two or more defendants are jointly charged with any public offense, whether felony or misdemeanor, they must be tried jointly, unless the court order separate trials.”
We begin our consideration of the interplay of these statutory provisions, the interests they promote, and how they bear on section 1382 good cause by examining those cases finding that trial delay was without good cause.
Not “good cause”
In People v. Wilson (1963) 60 Cal.2d 139 [32 Cal.Rptr. 44, 383 P.2d 452] the defendant, charged with murdering his wife and assaulting her companion, consented to a trial beyond 60 days, to August 25. On that date he and his attorney announced ready. But the prosecutor moved for a 67-day continuance, to October 31, on the grounds that he had just finished a long trial, was preparing a motion in another case, and had not yet taken his vacation. The court granted the motion and on October 25 denied defendant’s motion to dismiss. The Court of Appeal denied his writ and the defendant was tried and convicted.
On appeal, the California Supreme Court summarily found that “[o]n the facts before us there was not a sufficient showing of good cause for such delay." (60 Cal.2d at p. 145.) Thus, the trial court had erred in denying defendant’s motion to dismiss and the Court of Appeal had erred in denying his writ. But unlike those procedural settings where no prejudice need be shown, on appeal defendant must show not only error but prejudice. The court stated “it should be kept in mind that we are dealing not with a favored right such as the right ‘to appear and defend, in person and with counsel’ [citations] but with a privilege personal to the defendant which will be deemed to be waived if not asserted by him in timely fashion. ” (Id. at p. 148.)
It was also the prosecutor in Batey v. Superior Court (1977) 71 Cal.App.3d 952 [139 Cal.Rptr. 689] who moved for trial continuances. [494]Over defendant’s objections, and based upon the prosecutor being engaged in another trial, the court first granted a 15-day continuance and then a 75-day continuance. Following the denial of his motion to dismiss the defendant sought a writ.
In granting the writ the Court of Appeal found that just being in trial does not constitute good cause to delay other trials. A prosecutor with multiple case assignments must anticipate trial conflicts and make an effort to have another prosecutor be prepared to timely try the case. (71 Cal.App.3d at p. 957.) The state was at fault for failing to do so and hence there was no good cause to grant the second, lengthy continuance.
People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557 [162 Cal.Rptr. 431, 606 P.2d 738, 16 A.L.R.4th 1255] also found the state at fault and therefore held unexcused the delay of the defendant’s trial. Here it was a public defender with a heavy caseload and a chronically congested trial court, that denied the defendant a speedy trial. Absent exceptional circumstances, Johnson held, such conditions are not good cause for denying an in-custody defendant a speedy trial.
Sanchez v. Superior Court (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 884 [182 Cal.Rptr. 703], relied upon by petitioner, involved defendants jointly charged with burglary. Petitioner’s codefendant4 was represented by the public defender who “advised the court that he was engaged in another criminal trial and was assigned to two other ‘must-go’ criminal trials immediately thereafter.” (Id. at p. 887.) The court, over petitioner’s objection, granted two continuances totalling twenty-one days.
In holding that the continuances were without good cause Sanchez relied upon and applied People v. Johnson. It stated, “[t]he rule stated in Johnson is equally applicable to the present underlying prosecution where delay beyond the statutory period is caused by the unavailability of appointed counsel for a codefendant rather than petitioner’s own appointed counsel. The cause of the delay is the same: failure of the state to provide the facilities and personnel needed to implement the right to speedy trial." (131 Cal.App.3d at p. 890.)
People v. Escarcega (1986) 186 Cal.App.3d 379 [230 Cal.Rptr. 638] is even more a direct application of Johnson than is Sanchez. Instead of an overburdened public defender, as in Johnson, it was court-appointed private counsel whose overburdened calendar deprived the defendant of his statutory speedy trial. In finding this delay, requested by appointed counsel, “bad [495]cause," the court, quoting Johnson, stated: “ ‘Thus the state cannot rely upon the obligations which an appointed counsel owes to other clients to excuse its denial of a speedy trial to the instant defendant’ ’’. (Id. at p. 386.)
As in Sanchez the People sought refuge in section 1098. In an overly broad response the court remarked, “[t]he preference for a joint trial of jointly charged defendants does not constitute good cause to delay one defendant’s trial beyond the time period set forth in Penal Code section 1382, subdivision 2.” (186 Cal.App.3d at p. 386, fn. 4.)
Finally, People v. Cooper (1989) 216 Cal.App.3d 830 [_ Cal. Rptr._], review granted March 15, 1990 (S013859), indistinguishable from Sanchez,5 found the congested calendar of appointed counsel for a codefendant “bad cause" to deny defendant a speedy trial. The court, properly rejecting the People’s section 1098 argument, in loose dictum opined “that neither judicial economy nor the prosecutor’s convenience can outweigh a defendant’s right to a speedy trial. . . .’’ (Id. at p. 835.)
In summary, good cause is not shown by a prosecutor’s desire for a vacation (People v. Wilson, supra, 60 Cal.2d 139), a prosecutor’s congested calendar (Batey v. Superior Court, supra, 71 Cal.App.3d 952), and chronically congested courts and overburdened appointed counsel. (People v. Johnson, supra, 26 Cal.3d 557; Sanchez v. Superior Court, supra, 131 Cal.App.3d 884; People v. Escarcega, supra, 186 Cal.App.3d 379; People v. Cooper, supra, 216 Cal.App.3d 830.)
Good cause: what constitutes
Although section 1382 prohibits delay without “good cause” it does not define good cause. Instead “[wjhat constitutes good cause for the delay of a criminal trial is a matter that lies within the discretion of the trial court.” (People v. Johnson, supra, 26 Cal.3d 557, 570.) The circumstances that may constitute good cause, and the amount of delay those circumstances may justify, are varied.
For example, all of the following circumstances have been held to constitute good cause: infantile paralysis epidemic (In re Venable (1927) 86 Cal.App. 585 [261 P. 731] [trial judge did not set jury trials for 15 days]); prosecution witness unavailable and defense attorney not immediately available (People v. Clayton (1928) 89 Cal.App. 405, 408 [264 P. 1105] [7 days]); defendant held for trial in another county (People v. Burns (1932) 128 [496]Cal.App. 226 [16 P.2d 1015] [35 days]); prosecutor not ready for trial because he relied on codefendant’s statement that he “might” plead guilty (People v. McFarland (1962) 209 Cal.App.2d 772 [26 Cal.Rptr. 596] [30 days]); defendant’s noncooperation with his attorney (People v. Floyd (1970) 1 Cal.3d 694, 706-707 [83 Cal.Rptr. 608, 464 P.2d 64], disapproved on other ground in People v. Wheeler (1978) 22 Cal.3d 258, 287, fn. 36 [148 Cal.Rptr. 890, 583 P.2d 748] [56 days]); separate trial of coperpetrator involving same prosecutor, witnesses, and exhibits (In re Wells (1971) 20 Cal.App.3d 640, 645 [98 Cal.Rptr. 1], disapproved on other grounds in People v. Wheeler, supra, 22 Cal.3d 258, 286-287 [23 days]); defendant’s failure to appear when case called during the morning; he appeared in the afternoon (Turner v. Municipal Court (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 643 [182 Cal.Rptr. 650] [41 days]); in trial delay due to trial judge becoming presiding judge and a surge of in-custody, no-waiver cases (People v. Gopal (1985) 171 Cal.App.3d 524 [217 Cal.Rptr. 487] [2 1/2 months]); People’s exercise of Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6 against only available judge (Bryant v. Superior Court (1986) 186 Cal.App.3d 483, 501 [230 Cal.Rptr. 777] [1 day]); delayed transportation of defendant from state prison and trial preparation by defense attorney (People v. Malone (1987) 192 Cal.App.3d 1096 [237 Cal.Rptr. 794] [about 3 months]).
Although these cases illustrate, and thus help to define, good cause and also to suggest its elasticity (one day to about three months’ delay), they do not resolve two issues central to this petition.
First, we must determine what weight, if any, a trial court, in the exercise of its discretion, may give to the statutory mandate for joint trials. Second, assuming good cause delay, what factors determine its duration.
Section 1098: its weight
Petitioner contends that the joint trial mandate of section 1098 is not a counterweight to her speedy trial right. Her interest in a statutory speedy trial, she argues, is independent of and immune from any and all interests embodied in section 1098. Section 1098 interests, she asserts, weigh not even a milligram on a defendant’s section 1382 scales.
If this argument were correct we would expect section 1098 interests to be similarly weightless on scales comparable to 1382. They are not. Examples follow.
Raymond Alvarez, under 18 years old and not subject to the death penalty, sought a trial separate from Tony Lara. Alvarez argued he would be prejudiced by a “death qualified jury” if jointly tried with Lara and that [497]the prosecutor would have an unfair and disproportionate number of jury challenges. The California Supreme Court replied, “[t]he legislative policy in favor of joint trials of jointly charged defendants (Pen. Code, § 1098) is not outweighed by the circumstance that the prosecutor’s challenges for conscientious objection to the death penalty may be technically inapplicable to a codefendant immune from that penalty.” (People v. Lara (1967) 67 Cal.2d 365, 394 [62 Cal.Rptr. 586, 432 P.2d 202].)
In People v. Turner (1984) 37 Cal.3d 302 [208 Cal.Rptr. 196, 690 P.2d 669], overruled on other grounds in People v. Anderson (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1104, 1115 [240 Cal.Rptr. 585, 742 P.2d 1306], conflicting defenses and multiple-count confusion were the interests which outweighed a joint trial, appellant contended. The Supreme Court disagreed. Justice Kaus observed, “the instant case provided the classic situation for joint trial—defendants charged with common crimes against common victims.” (Id. at p. 312.)
In People v. Kelly (1986) 183 Cal.App.3d 1235 [228 Cal.Rptr. 681] appellant urged not only “death qualified jury” prejudice, caused by his joint trial, but also a violation of his privilege against self-incrimination. He maintained that because he was jointly tried with codefendant Keenan the trial court excluded appellant’s police recorded statement on Aranda6 grounds, thus compelling appellant to testify. In rejecting his claims the Court of Appeal stated: “This court does realize that in a joint trial of a multiple number of defendants a codefendant may suffer ‘associational prejudice.’ [Citation.] In light of the strong preference for joint trials (under Pen. Code, § 1098) and the discretion afforded the trial court in severance motions, relief can only be granted when, in a case-by-case analysis, clear evidence showing prejudice is offered.” (Id. at pp. 1240-1241.)
The interests which Maurice Keenan sought to protect are described by Justice Eagleson: “We assume arguendo, as defendant suggests, that the Stevenson shooting, and certain other evidence presented by Kelly[7] which suggested defendant’s violent nature, would have been inadmissible in his separate guilt trial for the Opel murder.” (People v. Keenan (1988) 46 Cal.3d 478, 501 [250 Cal.Rptr. 550, 758 P.2d 1081].) In rejecting appellant’s claim that this interest, especially in a capital case, outweighed joint trial interests, the court declared “ ‘[o]ther crimes’ evidence which would not be admissible against an accused in his separate trial holds a well-understood potential for prejudice. However, the likelihood of its admission in an otherwise proper joint trial does not alone justify severance.” (Ibid.)
In People v. Harris (1989) 47 Cal.3d 1047 [255 Cal.Rptr. 352, 767 P.2d 619] the trial court, in order to honor the joint trial mandate of section [498109]8, employed dual juries. The Supreme Court summarized appellant’s claims and its disposition of them as follows: “Defendant claims the use of two juries was distracting, disruptive, and necessarily prejudicial because the jury that convicted him inevitably became aware that during periods when it was not present in the courtroom the jury trying Davison heard evidence inadmissible, but damaging, as to him. We conclude that defendant has failed to establish that the procedure was prejudicial to him. Although no statute sanctions the use of two juries, the procedure affords a practical and reasonable means by which to minimize the inconvenience and not inconsiderable burden on those witnesses who would otherwise have to testify in separate trials, and to conserve judicial resources.” (Id. at p. 1056.)8
In Richardson v. Marsh (1987) 481 U.S. 200 [95 L.Ed.2d 176, 107 S.Ct. 1702] the defendant claimed her Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses was denied by admission of her codefendant’s confession. Distinguishing Bruton v. United States (1968) 391 U.S. 123 [20 L.Ed.2d 476, 88 S.Ct. 1620], Justice Scalia, writing for a six-justice majority, rejected her claim. His comments concerning joint trials are instructive.
“One might say, of course, that a certain way of assuring compliance would be to try defendants separately whenever an incriminating statement of one of them is sought to be used. That is not as facile or as just a remedy as might seem. Joint trials play a vital role in the criminal justice system, accounting for almost one-third of federal criminal trials in the past five years. [Citation.] Many joint trials—for example, those involving large conspiracies to import and distribute illegal drugs—involve a dozen or more codefendants. Confessions by one or more of the defendants are commonplace—and indeed the probability of confession increases with the number of participants, since each has reduced assurance that he will be protected by his own silence. It would impair both the efficiency and the fairness of the criminal justice system to require, in all these cases of joint crimes where incriminating statements exist, that prosecutors bring separate proceedings, presenting the same evidence again and again, requiring victims and witnesses to repeat the inconvenience (and sometimes trauma) of testifying, and randomly favoring the last-tried defendants who have the advantage of knowing the prosecution’s case beforehand. Joint trials generally serve the interests of justice by avoiding inconsistent verdicts and enabling more accurate assessment of relative culpability—advantages which sometimes operate to the defendant’s benefit. Even apart from these tactical considerations, joint trials generally serve the interests of justice by avoiding the [499]scandal and inequity of inconsistent verdicts.” (481 U.S. at pp. 209-210 [95 L.Ed.2d at p. 187].)
As these cases demonstrate, the preference for joint trials encompasses varied and significant interests. So significant, in fact, that they may serve as counterweights to a defendant’s right to confront witnesses (Richardson v. Marsh), his privilege against self-incrimination (People v. Kelly), his right to exclude prejudicial character evidence (People v. Keenan), and others (People v. Turner, People v. Lara, and People v. Harris).
As we next discuss, joint trial interests constitute section 1382 good cause.
Joint trial and section 1382 good cause
In Ferenz v. Superior Court (1942) 53 Cal.App.2d 639 [128 P.2d 48] the Sacramento County grand jury indicted nine defendants for failing to register as members of a subversive organization. All parties agreed to a July 6 trial date. But when two of the defendants were unavailable on that date, being in trial on similar charges in Los Angeles Federal Court, the court granted a prosecution continuance motion, over petitioners’ objections, to July 21. When the two codefendants were again unavailable on July 21 the court granted another prosecution continuance, this one for seven days. Petitioners sought a writ claiming speedy trial denial.
In denying the writ the Court of Appeal explained, “The Constitution does not purport to fix a period of time within which a person charged with a crime shall be tried. It merely guarantees the accused a ‘speedy and public trial.’ While it is true that section 1382 of the Penal Code has been held to be mandatory, that section merely designates sixty days as the maximum time after the finding of the indictment or filing of the information within which the cause shall be tried ‘in the absence of a showing of good cause for extending that time.’ It does not necessarily follow that a defendant who has not been brought to trial within sixty days from the finding of the indictment or the filing of the information shall be entitled to a dismissal of the charge for lack of diligence in the prosecution of the cause.” (53 Cal.App.2d at p. 642.)
It concluded that “[i]n the present case we are convinced the prosecution has adequately shown good cause why the trial of this case against the petitioners should reasonably be continued to the 28th day of July, which is only twenty-two days beyond the period designated by section 1382 of the Penal Code.” (53 Cal,App.2d) In addition to the unavailability of the two codefendants the court cited witness hardship, trial length (eight to ten weeks), and the large number of witnesses (approximately fifty)—all of [500]which “would be likely to result in great inconvenience and expense, with the likelihood of a miscarriage of justice.” (Id. at p. 643.)
In People v. Teale (1965) 63 Cal.2d 178 [45 Cal.Rptr. 729, 404 P.2d 209], reversed on other grounds in Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18 [17 L.Ed.2d 705, 87 S.Ct. 824, 24 A.L.R.3d 1065], factually similar to the instant case, Teale and Chapman were scheduled to be jointly tried for murder on March 19. But upon Mrs. Chapman’s representation that Teale’s public defender had a conflict of interest, since he had formerly represented her, new counsel was appointed for Teale. Apparently some time before March 19, Teale’s new attorney moved for a continuance in order to adequately prepare for trial. Chapman objected. The trial was continued for about one month, until April 16.
On appeal Chapman claimed a denial of her section 1382 right to a speedy trial. The Supreme Court’s response was succinct: “Where a continuance is granted upon good cause to a codefendant the rights of the other defendants are generally not deemed to have been prejudiced. (People v. McFarland, 209 Cal.App.2d 772; Ferenz v. Superior Court, 53 Cal.App.2d 639.)” (People v. Teale, supra, at p. 186.)
Most pertinent to the present case is Hollis v. Superior Court (1985) 165 Cal.App.3d 642 [211 Cal.Rptr. 649]. Four defendants were jointly charged with murder. Three moved for a continuance forty days beyond section 1382 limits in order to adequately prepare for trial. Petitioner objected. The motion was granted and petitioner timely moved to dismiss. Upon denial he sought a writ.
Unlike Ferenz, Hollis does not rely on witness hardship, trial length, large number of witnesses or any other discrete factor9 in upholding the trial court’s determination of good cause. It merely notes the potential conflict between sections 1382 and 1098, distinguishes Sanchez, supra, 131 Cal.App.3d 884, as we have, and relies on People v. Teale for the proposition that “[w]here a continuance is granted to a codefendant upon good cause, the rights of other jointly charged defendants are generally deemed not to have been prejudiced.” (Id. at p. 646.)
Both in her petition and during oral argument petitioner attempted to distinguish Hollis on the ground that she requested a severance but Hollis did not.
This would-be distinction is based upon the following language in Hollis: “Petitioner objected to the continuance and demanded trial as originally [501]scheduled. When the court raised the possibility of trying petitioner separately, counsel for petitioner indicated that a separate trial was of no tactical advantage to petitioner and disavowed any intention to force a severance. Thereupon, the court continued the case. . . .” (165 Cal.App.3d at p. 644.) The only other pertinent reference is the court’s concluding comment that “the [trial] court was, perforce, also cognizant that petitioner disclaimed any interest in severance and, more importantly, had expressed doubt that a severance would work to his advantage.” (Id. at pp. 646-647.)
We find no distinction between Hollis and the instant case. First, we understand counsel’s remarks, as the Hollis opinion extrapolates them, to only mean that his objection to trial delay was sincere and not a ploy to obtain a separate trial. Thus his emphasis that “a separate trial was of no tactical advantage” to his client. Second, we note that counsel for Hollis did not object to a severance. Third, counsel for Hollis did not contend that a severance would prejudice or in any way be tactically disadvantageous to his client.
Thus, when distilled, the Hollis severance language amounts to only this: Hollis did not make a severance motion. Petitioner cites no authority for the proposition, and we know of none, that failure to move for a severance degrades a defendant’s right to a speedy trial.
We therefore conclude that if the precipitating cause for trial delay is justifiable,10 such as codefendants’ need to adequately prepare for trial, then the section 1098 joint trial mandate constitutes good cause to delay the trial of an objecting codefendant. Were the extent of delay but twenty-two days (Ferenz v. Superior Court), about a month (People v. Teale), forty days (Hollis v. Superior Court), two and one-half months (cf. People v. Gopal, supra, 171 Cal.App.3d 524), or even three months (cf. People v. Malone, supra, 192 Cal.App.3d 1096) we would end the discussion here. But the instant delay is approximately six months.11 Thus, we must consider whether not just a delay, but a delay of six months is with good cause.
Six-month delay: good cause
We begin with the obvious. None of the cases which have found good cause delay determined or suggested that a longer delay would have been [502]without good cause. Ferenz condoned 22 days; it did not condemn 23. Teale approved about a month; it did not disapprove a month and a day. Hollis upheld 40 days; it did not deny 41.
We have found no magic calipers marking the exact reach of good cause delay. In speaking of a defendant’s right to a speedy trial the United States Supreme Court has said, “[i]t is . . . impossible to determine with precision when the right has been denied. We cannot definitely say how long is too long in a system where justice is supposed to be swift but deliberate.” (Barker v. Wingo (1972) 407 U.S. 514, 521 [33 L.Ed.2d 101, 112, 92 S.Ct. 2182].)
Although imprecise, the measure of good cause delay has guidelines. Barker v. Wingo identified four such guidelines or factors: “Length of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant.” (407 U.S. at p. 530 [33 L.Ed.2d at p. 117].)
Before applying these and other appropriate factors to the instant case, we consider their application in three other cases.
A 20-month trial delay was involved in People v. Powell (1974) 40 Cal.App.3d 107 [115 Cal.Rptr. 109]. The causes for the delay included challenges to the jury venire, challenges to four trial judges, discharge of reinstated counsel (Irving Kanarek) for the codefendant, and “myriad procedural maneuvers” by the defense. (Id. at p. 151.) They also included trial joinder (with codefendant Smith).
In holding that the trial court properly denied severance motions and motions for dismissal the court stated, “Joint trials are favored and should not be disavowed on the basis of hindsight only. [Citation.] Statutory policy favors joint trial. (Pen. Code, § 1098.) The circumstances of this case were particularly suited for a joint trial. Appellants were present during all of the activity that constituted the preliminary acts and the elements of the offense charged. . . .”
“We do not find that the delay was inordinate in light of the complexity of the case, the gravity of the charge and the reasons for the continuances.” (407 U.S. at p. 152.)
A 19-month trial delay was involved in United States v. Ewell (1966) 383 U.S. 116 [15 L.Ed.2d 627, 86 S.Ct. 773]. Appellants were originally charged with and convicted of one count of narcotic sale. After appellants had their convictions vacated (the indictment had failed to name the purchaser), the government not only recharged them with the original crime but added [503]another related offense12 which appellants challenged on speedy trial grounds. From original indictment until the district court dismissed the second indictment, appellants had been in custody 19 months without having been tried for the added charge.
The United States Supreme Court reversed the dismissal and held there was no denial of a speedy trial. The court stated, “[w]e cannot agree that the passage of 19 months between the original arrests and the hearings on the later indictments itself demonstrates a violation of the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a speedy trial. This guaranty is an important safeguard to prevent undue and oppressive incarceration prior to trial, to minimize anxiety and concern accompanying public accusation and to limit the possibilities that long delay will impair the ability of an accused to defend himself. However, in large measure because of the many procedural safeguards provided an accused, the ordinary procedures for criminal prosecution are designed to move at a deliberate pace. A requirement of unreasonable speed would have a deleterious effect both upon the rights of the accused and upon the ability of society to protect itself. Therefore, this Court has consistently been of the view that ‘The right of a speedy trial is necessarily relative. It is consistent with delays and depends upon circumstances. It secures rights to a defendant. It does not preclude the rights of public justice.’” (383 U.S. at p. 120 [15 L.Ed.2d at pp. 630-631].)
A 20-month delay13 was involved in Barker v. Wingo, supra, 407 U.S. 514. In a mirror image of the instant case, the delay was caused by appellant’s murder coperpetrator being tried separately and first. Six times. Mistrials and reversed convictions consumed five years. Only then was appellant, who had spent 10 months in custody, brought to trial, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
In affirming the conviction, and denying Barker’s speedy trial claim, the Supreme Court balanced four factors (length of delay, reason for delay, defendant’s assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant) and found the scales tipped against petitioner.
The court’s assessment did not devalue the speedy trial right. (8) But it did recognize the difference between this and other rights, a “generic[ ] difference] from any of the other rights enshrined in the Constitution for the protection of the accused.” (407 U.S. at p. 519 [33 L.Ed.2d at p. 110].) Unlike many other rights “there is a societal interest in providing a speedy [504]trial which exists separate from, and at times in opposition to, the interests of the accused.” (Ibid. [33 L.Ed.2d at pp. 110-111].)
California recognizes this separate and at times opposed societal interest. Section 1050, subdivision (a), describes it: “The welfare of the people of the State of California requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings.”
In determining whether the trial court abused its discretion in ordering approximately a six-month trial continuance we weigh the interests identified in section 1050, the interests served by section 1098, and the interests protected by the right to a speedy trial.
In exercising its discretion the trial court stated: “It’s clearly a very complex[ ] case and it seems to me that the period asked for by the other two defendants is very reasonable considering the complexity of the case and what needs to be done. [¶] So I will find that seven [sic] months is an appropriate continuance based upon the preparation that needs to be done. [¶] Although I recognize that you are very anxious to go to trial Mr. Shohat [petitioner’s counsel] and the reasons for it as detailed to me in camera, I find that that is outweighed by the need for preparation by the co-defendants and the economy of a joint trial and I think that the prejudice that you lay out is speculative.”
We hold that, considering the following factors, all supported by the record before the trial court, petitioner has failed to establish an abuse of trial court discretion.
Length of delay. “ ‘The right of a speedy trial is necessarily relative.’ ” (Barker v. Wingo, supra, 407 U.S. at p. 522 [33 L.Ed.2d at [505]p. 112].) Here the six-month trial delay must be considered against the six-year murder investigation, the over fifteen-month period from petitioner’s arrest to the January 8, 1990, trial date she consented to, the over two-month preliminary hearing, and the possibility of a trial lasting six months or longer.
Seriousness of charges. “[T]he delay that can be tolerated for an ordinary street crime is considerably less than for a serious, complex conspiracy charge.” (Barker v. Wingo, supra, 407 U.S. at p. 531 [33 L.Ed.2d at p. 117].) Petitioner and her codefendants were charged with the ultimate serious charge: capital murder. (Compare Turner v. Municipal Court, supra, 131 Cal.App.3d 643 [misdemeanor charge—41-day delay].)
Complexity of case. No evidence contradicts the trial court’s express finding that this is “a very complex[ ] case.” It is supported by the 4,565 pages of preliminary hearing transcript which the trial court read, the 15,000 pages of discovery and over 14 months14 for codefendants to adequately prepare for trial.
Prejudice to petitioner. No evidence has been lost and no witnesses have become unavailable to petitioner. Those prospects were expressly found to be “speculative” by the trial court.
Reason for delay. Codefendants established that unless granted a six-month continuance they would be denied their Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel. (Compare Barker v. Wingo, supra, 407 U.S. 514, 533-534 [33 L.Ed.2d at p. 119]: a seven-month delay caused by the illness of a witness, the investigating officer and ex-sheriff is “a strong excuse.”) No part of the delay is attributable to the People who announced ready for trial on January 8, 1990. There is no suggestion either the court or the state is at fault for the delay.
Witness hardship. Twenty-six witnesses testified at petitioner’s preliminary hearing; some for the second time.15 Some will testify a third time at the trial of the severed counts II (the murder of June Mincher) and III (attempted murder of Christian Pierce). Probably all, and no doubt additional witnesses, will testify at the Radin murder trial. For some, if there is but one such trial, it will be their fourth time. If there are two Radin murder trials some witnesses will testify five times. If those two Radin murder trials require penalty trials then some witnesses might testify at least seven [506]times.16 Such heroic ordeals cannot be expected of ordinary citizens. Prescribing such obstacles must certainly discourage persons already involved as witnesses and soon dissuade others from ever becoming involved. The administration of justice cannot long survive such consequences.
Burden on the courts. “[Mjultiple trials involving a single set of facts . . . place needless burdens on defendants, law enforcement officials, and courts.” (United States v. Lovasco (1977) 431 U.S. 783, 793 [52 L.Ed.2d 752, 761, 97 S.Ct. 2044].)
Additional observations: practical benefits to petitioner; a severance order
Unlike the denial of a federal speedy trial right which entitles a defendant to a dismissal with prejudice (Strunk v. United States (1973) 412 U.S. 434 [37 L.Ed.2d 56, 93 S.Ct. 2260]), a section 1382 denial may result in a second (§ 1387) or even third (§ 1387.1) prosecution. Thus, to grant the writ and order dismissal would gain petitioner neither freedom nor a more speedy trial. If on March 23 the instant information were dismissed, and a new felony complaint filed, petitioner’s preliminary examination need not commence before 10 days following arraignment (§ 859b). If that examination lasted only half as long as her first examination it would not end before May 1. An information need not be filed until May 16 (§ 1382). Then, assuming the most unlikely and expedited of all scenarios, petitioner would be entitled to a July 16 trial date, but one week earlier than the present July 23 trial date.
If, of course, petitioner were to begin her trial before July 23'—putting aside the inconvenience to witnesses and drain on judicial resources caused by a second preliminary examination for her—then codefendants Mentzer and Marti could not be tried on July 23. (In re Wells, supra, 20 Cal.App.3d 640, 645: “It is obvious that both trials could not be held at the same time, as they involved the same prosecutor . . . witnesses and evidence.”) Thus to validate petitioner’s speedy trial claim would not significantly benefit her, would likely delay her codefendants’ trial, and if so, likely instigate their denial of speedy trial claims.
Such a scenario violates all common sense, is not legally required, and we decline to author it.
[507]Although a severance of petitioner’s trial has not been sought nor briefed,17 at oral argument both parties agreed this court had authority to order severance, and counsel for petitioner stated he would not complain if we did order it.
As we have explained, the delay being for good cause, there is no reason to order severance. There are reasons not to.
The benefit to petitioner might be a two-month speedier trial. At oral argument her counsel represented that he had “two short trials in Florida” and would be available in early May.
The detriments to ordering a severance have been discussed: forcing witnesses to repeatedly testify, delaying the trial of codefendants, draining judicial resources, increasing prosecution burdens, and multiplying trial confusion.
Additionally, to order a severance is to unwisely denigrate trial court discretion. On this record it cannot fairly be said that a three- or four-month delay was within trial court discretion but a five- or six-month delay outside its discretion.
Disposition
The petition for a writ of mandate and/or prohibition is denied.18
Lillie, P. J., concurred.
Unless otherwise indicated, all statutory references are to the Penal Code.
The declarations were ordered sealed by the trial court. As requested by petitioner, we have examined them.
These representations were reported and ordered sealed. As requested by petitioner, we have examined them.
A third codefendant was severed from the case due to illness.
The codefendant was represented by private counsel, court-appointed, not the public defender, as in Sanchez.
People v. Aranda (1965) 63 Cal.2d 518 [47 Cal.Rptr. 353, 407 P.2d 265],
People v. Kelly, supra, 183 Cal.App.3d 1235.
See also People v. Wardlow (1981) 118 Cal.App.3d 375 [173 Cal.Rptr. 500], upholding dual juries.
The decision does state that the trial court noted “the charges were very substantial and the case complex.” (165 Cal.App.3d at p. 646.)
“[A] criminal defendant may not be deprived of a speedy trial because the prosecution— or the defense—is lazy or indifferent, or because the prosecution seeks to harass the defendant rather than bring him fairly to justice. . . .” (People v. Floyd, supra, 1 Cal.3d 694, 707.)
Petitioner agreed to a January 8, 1990, trial. A section 1382 10-day grace period, the January 8 date being beyond 60 days, extended the permissible trial date to January 18. The continuance to July 23 is six months and five days.
Two offenses were added but only one was pursued.
The actual delay from petitioner’s arrest to his trial was over five years. However, petitioner only objected to 20 months of this period.
The preliminary hearing began May 12, 1989, and trial is set for July 23, 1990.
Superior Court Judge David M. Horowitz was the magistrate at the earlier related preliminary hearing.
It would impair both the efficiency and the fairness of the criminal justice system to require, in all these cases of joint crimes . . . that prosecutors bring separate proceedings, presenting the same evidence again and again, requiring victims and witnesses to repeat the inconvenience (and sometimes trauma) of testifying. . . .” (Richardson v. Marsh, supra, 481 U.S. 200, 209-210 [95 L.Ed.2d 176, 187].)
Both parties agreed that the denial of petitioner’s severance motion was not before this court.
We have held that, on this record, trial delay to July 23, 1990, is with good cause. We have not held and do not imply that additional delay would be justified. Moreover, we recommend to the trial court the advisability of communicating to all counsel, well before July 23, that, absent compelling circumstances, additional trial preparation time will not be granted (§ 1050).