USA v. Bitter
DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. THOMAS BITTER, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) Criminal No. 2016-30 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ATTORNEYS: Ronald Sharpe, United States Attorney Everard E. Potter, AUSA United States Attorney’s Office St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. For the United States of America, Omodare Jupiter, FPD Kia Danielle Sears, AFPD Office of the Federal Public Defender St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. For Tequan Anthony Joseph, ORDER GÓMEZ, J. Before the Court is the application of Thomas Bitter (“Bitter”) to waive his speedy trial. For the reasons stated herein, the time to try this case is extended up to and including January 31, 2017. Case: 3:16-cr-00030-JRS-RM Document #: 34 Filed: 10/21/16 Page 1 of 3 United States v. Bitter Criminal No. 2016-30 Order While the Speedy Trial Act requires that a defendant be tried within seventy days of indictment, the Court specifically finds that extending this period would be in the best interest of justice for several reasons. …
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DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. THOMAS BITTER, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) Criminal No. 2016-30 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ATTORNEYS: Ronald Sharpe, United States Attorney Everard E. Potter, AUSA United States Attorney’s Office St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. For the United States of America, Omodare Jupiter, FPD Kia Danielle Sears, AFPD Office of the Federal Public Defender St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. For Tequan Anthony Joseph, ORDER GÓMEZ, J. Before the Court is the application of Thomas Bitter (“Bitter”) to waive his speedy trial. For the reasons stated herein, the time to try this case is extended up to and including January 31, 2017. Case: 3:16-cr-00030-JRS-RM Document #: 34 Filed: 10/21/16 Page 1 of 3 United States v. Bitter Criminal No. 2016-30 Order While the Speedy Trial Act requires that a defendant be tried within seventy days of indictment, the Court specifically finds that extending this period would be in the best interest of justice for several reasons. First, an extension is necessary to allow Bitter time to review discovery and investigate the charges against him. Second, the defendant made this request with the advice and consent of counsel. Third, without an extension, the parties would be denied reasonable time necessary to explore plea options and prepare for trial. Consistent with these concerns, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has recognized that "whether or not a case is 'unusual' or 'complex,' an ‘ends of justice’ continuance may in appropriate circumstances be granted." United States v. Fields, 39 F.3d 439, 444 (3d Cir. 1994); United States v. Dota, 33 F.3d 1179(9th Cir. 1994) ("An ends of justice continuance may be justified on grounds that one side needs more time to prepare for trial [even if the] case [i]s not ‘complex.’"); see also United States v. Lattany, 982 F.2d 866, 883 (3d Cir. 1992) ("[T]he district court did not abuse its discretion when it delayed the trial to give counsel . . . opportunity to . . . decid[e] upon and prepar[e] an appropriate defense."); United States v. Brooks, 697 F.2d 517, 522 (3d Cir. 1982) (holding there was no abuse of discretion where district Case: 3:16-cr-00030-JRS-RM Document #: 34 Filed: 10/21/16 Page 2 of 3 United States v. Bitter Criminal No. 2016-30 Order court found that multiple count, multiple defendant "case was complex and required additional time for adequate preparation."). The premises considered; it is hereby ORDERED that the time beginning from the date of this order granting an extension through January 31, 2017 shall be excluded in computing the time within which a trial must be initiated pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161. S\ Juan R. Sánchez District Judge Case: 3:16-cr-00030-JRS-RM Document #: 34 Filed: 10/21/16 Page 3 of 3