Troy v. United States

946 F. Supp. 2d 172, 2012 WL 4753358, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142254
CourtDistrict Court, D. Massachusetts
DecidedOctober 2, 2012
DocketCriminal No. 07-40028-FDS
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 946 F. Supp. 2d 172 (Troy v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Massachusetts primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Troy v. United States, 946 F. Supp. 2d 172, 2012 WL 4753358, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142254 (D. Mass. 2012).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION UNDER 28 U.S.C. § 2255

SAYLOR, District Judge.

This is a motion to vacate, set aside, or correct a sentence by a person in federal custody pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.1 [174]*174Petitioner Roxanne Troy seeks to vacate her sentence on the grounds that she received ineffective assistance of counsel in violation of her Sixth Amendment rights. She contends that her trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective because counsel failed to move to dismiss her indictment before trial for violations of the Speedy Trial Act. For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be denied.

I. Factual Background

On December 12, 2007, Roxanne Troy was indicted for one count of attempted arson and two counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. Trial began in her case on March 16, 2009. In total, 435 days passed between arraignment and trial. (Pet. Br. at 7). Because the timing of events is central to Troy’s Speedy Trial Act claim, the Court will set forth the events in some detail.

A. Arraignment — December 18, 2007

On December 18, 2007, Troy was arraigned on the indictment during proceedings before a Magistrate Judge. The court initially suggested that an initial status conference be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. (Appendix to Pet. Br. at 13). Defense counsel indicated that they would be in the middle of a homicide trial at that time, and requested that the conference be scheduled instead for February 5, 2008. (Id.). The court accommodated this request, and an initial status conference was scheduled for February 5. (App. 14).

That same day, the Magistrate Judge issued a written order on excludable delay finding that it was in the interests of justice to provide the defendant with a period of 14 days to determine whether she wanted to proceed with automatic discovery, and that this interest outweighed the interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial. (App. 17). The order further excluded an additional period of 14 days, to begin as soon as the defendant either elected to proceed under automatic discovery or failed to file a waiver. (Id.). The order stated the additional 14 days were being excluded “to provide the parties additional time to develop their respective discovery plans and produce discovery under the automatic discovery process.” (Id.).

B. Initial Status Conference — February 5,2008

On February 5, 2008, the Magistrate Judge held the initial status conference. (App. 19). Defense counsel indicated they had received discovery from the government and intended to request additional discovery. (App. 21). Accordingly, the court scheduled a status conference for March 6, 2008. (App. 23). The government moved to exclude the period of time from December 1, 2007, through March 6, 2008, on the grounds that the discovery process was ongoing. (App. 24). Defense counsel assented to the motion. (Id.).

On February 8, 2008, the Magistrate Judge issued a written order on excludable delay for the period from December 31, 2007, through March 6, 2008, citing the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A). (App. 26).2 The written order did not [175]*175explicitly set forth the court’s reasons for finding that the delay served the ends of justice.

C. Second Status Conference — March 6, 2008

On March 6, 2008, the Magistrate Judge held a second status conference in the case. Defense counsel indicated that they were in the process of reviewing substantial discovery that they had received from the government, and requested additional time to continue reviewing it. (App. 29-30). Defense counsel also indicated that they likely would not be able to complete the review of the documents until May because of an upcoming trial in another case. (App. 30). The court scheduled a further status conference for May 7, 2008. (App. 31).

On March 10, 2008, the Magistrate Judge issued a written order of excludable delay for the period from March 6 through May 7, 2008, citing the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A). (App. 34). The written order did not explicitly set forth the court’s reasons for finding that the delay served the ends of justice.

D. Third Status Conference — May 7, 2008

On May 7, 2008, the Magistrate Judge held a third status conference in the case. Defense counsel again requested additional time to interview witnesses and complete discovery. (App. 37). Defense counsel indicated that they expected to complete these preparations within four or five weeks. (Id.). The government stated that they were prepared for the case to be referred back to the District Judge for trial. (App. 38). The court granted defense counsel’s request and scheduled a further status conference for June 4, 2008, four weeks later. (Id.). The government moved orally to exclude the time from May 7 through June 4, 2008, in the interest of justice to allow defense counsel time to complete their investigation. (App. 39). Defense counsel assented to the motion. (Id.).

On May 13, 2008, the Magistrate Judge issued a written order of excludable delay for the period from May 7 through June 4, 2008, citing the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A). (App. 45). The written order did not explicitly set forth the court’s reasons for finding that the delay served the ends of justice.

E.Fourth Status Conference — June 4, 2008

On June 4, 2008, the Magistrate Judge held a fourth status conference in the case. Defense counsel again requested additional time to complete their investigation, and again indicated that they “could benefit from another four to five weeks.” (App. 48). The government reiterated that it was prepared for trial, stating that “[wje’re ready whenever the defense completes their investigation for this matter to go back to the district court.” (App. 49). The court granted the defendant’s request and suggested a date for a further conference of July 23, 2008. (App. 50). Defense counsel stated that date was “perfect.” (Id.). The government moved orally to exclude the time from June 4 through July 23, 2008, in the interest of justice to allow defense counsel time to complete their investigation. (Id.). Defense counsel assented to the motion. (App. 50-51).

On June 6, 2008, the Magistrate Judge issued a written order of excludable delay for the period from June 4 through July 23, 2008, citing the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A). (App. 53). The written order did not explicitly set forth the court’s reasons for finding that the delay served the ends of justice.

[176]*176F. Fifth Status Conference — July

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Bluebook (online)
946 F. Supp. 2d 172, 2012 WL 4753358, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142254, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/troy-v-united-states-mad-2012.