United States v. Yehling

F I L E D
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit
PUBLISH
August 8, 2006
UNITED STATES CO URT O F APPEALS
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court
TENTH CIRCUIT

U N ITED STA TES O F A M ER ICA,

Plaintiff - Appellee,
v. No. 05-1416
W ILLIA M JO H N Y EH LIN G ,

Defendant - Appellant.

A PPE AL FR OM T HE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR T HE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
(D .C. NO. 99-CR-61-N)

W ade H. Eldridge, Denver, Colorado, for D efendant-Appellant.

Andrew A. Vogt, Assistant United States Attorney (Jerry N. Jones, Assistant
United States Attorney, and W illiam J. Leone, United States Attorney, on the
brief), Denver, Colorado, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Before M U RPH Y, A ND ER SO N, and TYM KOVICH, Circuit Judges.

M U RPH Y, Circuit Judge.

I. Introduction

Defendant-Appellant W illiam John Yehling was tried and convicted in the

United States D istrict Court for the District of Colorado of conspiracy to
distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was

sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised

release. Shortly after the district court entered judgment, Yehling filed a motion

for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. The district court denied the

motion approximately four years later. W hile the motion was pending, Yehling

was free on a personal recognizance bond. Yehling raises two issues on appeal.

First, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction.

Second, he argues the district court’s delay in deciding his motion for a new trial

deprived the court of jurisdiction and constituted a denial of Yehling’s right to a

speedy trial and due process of law . This court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to

18 U.S.C. § 1291. W e conclude Yehling failed to timely assert his speedy trial

and due process rights and did not allege substantial prejudice resulting from the

district court’s delay in deciding his motion for a new trial. His unreasonable

delay claims are therefore denied. W e further affirm Yehling’s conviction.

II. Background

Yehling was one of nineteen defendants charged in a twenty-one-count

superceding indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to

distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 21 U.S.C.

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§§ 841(a)(1) and 846. 1 The indictment alleged a conspiracy whereby

methamphetamine was obtained in California and Colorado for resale to

distributors in Ouray County, Colorado. The indictment alleged Yehling

conspired to supply methamphetamine to codefendants Perry W herley and Eric

Avril in Colorado.

Yehling and six other defendants were tried jointly. Defendant W herley,

who had entered into a plea agreement with the government, testified that in

1996, he and defendant Brenda Paul discussed traveling to California to obtain

methamphetamine for resale in Colorado. Thereafter, W herley and Paul traveled

to California every other weekend to purchase three to four ounces of

methamphetamine from defendant Jodey Gravett. W herley would then cut the

methamphetamine into gram quantities and package it for resale to customers in

Ouray County. After W herley and Paul had a disagreement, M ichael Sullings

began to accompany W herley on his trips to California. W herley testified he and

Sullings made ten to twelve trips from Colorado to California, purchasing

between two and four ounces of methamphetamine from Gravett each time. After

Sullings was arrested, defendant Avril accompanied W herley to California. For

these trips, Avril located a new source, defendant Robert Silcock. W herley

1
The indictment charged other coconspirators with drug possession, witness
tampering, and use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense. Yehling,
however, was charged only with one count of conspiracy to distribute
methamphetamine.

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testified he and Avril traveled to California once a month for several months,

purchasing two to three ounces of methamphetamine each time. In July 1998,

W herley stopped traveling to California and, instead, began obtaining

methamphetamine in Colorado.

W herley testified he approached Yehling, whom he had met when they

worked together at Blackhawk Construction, in an attempt to locate someone to

supply large quantities of methamphetamine in Colorado. Yehling located a

potential source named Jovanni. The FBI intercepted several subsequent

telephone conversations between Wherley, Avril, and Yehling discussing the

source. 2 In September 1998, Yehling called W herley to inform him Avril had

stopped by Yehling’s house to get “a little bit” and was “really happy with the

stuff.” ROA, Supp. Vol. III, Ex. 49. Yehling indicated the price was down to

$700 per ounce. W herley asked whether Y ehling had more available

immediately. Yehling stated, “I wanted to make sure everybody was satisfied

before I did anything different,” but indicated he could obtain more the next day.

ROA, Supp. Vol. III, Ex. 49. Yehling also stated he was “in with the M exican

cartel” and was interested in “turn[ing] over a bunch and make[ing] some dough.”

ROA, Supp. Vol. III, Ex. 49.

2
The FBI obtained a warrant to place a wiretap on W herley’s residential
telephone in A ugust 1998. Recordings of intercepted telephone calls were
admitted into evidence at trial and played for the jury.

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 Three days later, in another recorded conversation, Yehling told W herley

his source wanted $1000 per ounce. Yehling indicated he thought the price was

too high and would try to find another source. Several weeks later, Yehling

called W herley to ask if he wanted to “place an order.” ROA, Supp. Vol. III, Ex.

57. W herley requested an eight-ball (three-and-one-half grams of

methamphetamine) and then called Avril to inform him of the deal. Avril asked

whether Yehling could supply ounce quantities. W herley replied that Yehling

could, but his source wanted too much money.

At trial, W herley admitted Yehling had provided samples from his source.

Nevertheless, Yehling argued W herley indicated a deal was never reached and

thus Yehling did not provide W herley with any methamphetamine for the purpose

of redistributing it to others. Avril, who had also entered into a plea agreement

with the government, testified he purchased an eight-ball of methamphetamine

from Yehling on one occasion. Avril indicated that if he “liked it,” he and

W herley would purchase ounce quantities from Yehling’s source. ROA, Vol. X at

1273. Avril stated, however, the methamphetamine was intended for his personal

use.

Yehling was interview ed by FBI Special A gent Emerson Buie after his

arrest. Buie testified that Yehling admitted knowing W herley was buying and

selling methamphetamine. Yehling also knew W herley had made several trips to

California w ith Avril and Sullings to obtain methamphetamine. Yehling told Buie

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that W herley approached him at work seeking a local supplier in Colorado.

Yehling admitted to locating a potential source named Jovanni, introducing

W herley to Jovanni, and providing Avril with less than a quarter gram of

methamphetamine as a sample. Yehling’s residence was searched, but no drugs,

baggies, scales, or large sums of cash were found.

At the close of evidence, the jury returned a verdict finding Yehling, and

five of his codefendants, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with

intent to distribute methamphetamine. The district court sentenced Yehling to

eighteen months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised release. O n

December 4, 2001, Yehling filed a motion for a new trial based on newly

discovered evidence. At trial, Avril had testified Justin Coykendall told him

Yehling gave Coykendall methamphetamine to give to Avril. Yehling’s motion

for a new trial asserted he had located Coykendall, and Coykendall would deny

the statement attributed to him by Avril. Yehling also filed a motion to stay his

obligation to surrender for service of his sentence until the district court ruled on

his motion for a new trial. The district court granted the stay.

The district court did not decide Y ehling’s motion for a new trial for almost

four years. In M arch 2004 and 2005, Yehling filed motions seeking the district

court’s permission to travel to Cozumel, M exico for his honeymoon and Boston to

watch his brother run the Boston M arathon, respectively. Both motions indicated

Yehling’s motion for a new trial was still pending before the district court. The

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district court granted permission for Yehling to travel on both occasions, but did

not rule on Yehling’s motion for a new trial.

Recognizing Yehling’s motion had been pending for almost four years, the

government requested a status conference in June 2005. Yehling subsequently

filed a motion seeking resentencing in light of United States v. Booker, which had

been decided by the Supreme Court while Yehling’s motion for a new trial was

pending. 543 U.S. 220 (2005). Yehling requested he be resentenced to probation

for time already served. On August 26, 2005, the district court granted Y ehling’s

motion for resentencing, but denied his motion for a new trial. The court

concluded the new evidence offered by Yehling would merely impeach Avril’s

testimony and was not likely to result in an acquittal upon retrial because other

evidence presented by the government tended to establish Yehling’s guilt.

Yehling was again sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment followed by three

years of supervised release. Yehling then filed a motion to dismiss for lack of

jurisdiction, arguing the district court’s delay in ruling on his motion for a new

trial deprived the court of jurisdiction and constituted denial of a speedy trial and

due process of law. Yehling filed a notice of appeal before the district court ruled

on his motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. 3

3
The ten-day time period for Yehling to file a notice of appeal began to run
when the district court entered its order denying Yehling’s motion for a new trial
on August 26, 2005. See Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(3)(A)(ii). To comply with the
timeliness requirements of Rule 4(b) of the Federal Rules of A ppellate Procedure
(continued...)

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III. Discussion

A. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Yehling moved for judgment of acquittal at the close of the government’s

case-in-chief. The district court denied the motion, concluding the government

had presented sufficient evidence to submit the case to the jury. Yehling did not

introduce any evidence in his defense. Yehling argues the district court erred in

denying his motion for judgment of acquittal because the government failed to

introduce sufficient evidence to support his conviction for conspiracy to distribute

methamphetamine.

In review ing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction, we

review the record de novo to determine whether, viewing the evidence in the light

most favorable to the government, any rational trier of fact could have found the

defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Zunie, 444 F.3d

1230, 1233 (10th Cir. 2006). W e consider both direct and circumstantial

evidence, together with the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, but do

not weigh conflicting evidence or consider the credibility of witnesses. Id.;

United States v. Lopez, 576 F.2d 840, 843 (10th Cir. 1978).

3
(...continued)
and preserve his appeal of the sufficiency of the evidence, Yehling was required
to file a notice of appeal by September 6, 2005. At that time, the district court
had not yet ruled on Yehling’s motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.

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 To prove conspiracy, the government must show (1) two or more persons

agreed to violate the law, (2) the defendant knew the essential objectives of the

conspiracy, (3) the defendant knowingly and voluntarily participated in the

conspiracy, and (4) the alleged coconspirators were interdependent. United States

v. Small, 423 F.3d 1164, 1182 (10th Cir. 2004). Yehling challenges only the

government’s proof with respect to the second and fourth elements.

To prove knowledge of the essential objectives of a conspiracy, the

government does not have to show the defendant knew all the details or all the

members of a conspiracy. Id. Rather, the government only needs to demonstrate

the “defendant shared a common purpose or design with his alleged

coconspirators.” United States v. Evans, 970 F.2d 663, 669 (10th Cir. 1992). The

essential objectives of the conspiracy in this case included obtaining

methamphetamine in California and Colorado and reselling the methamphetamine

for profit in Ouray County. The government presented sufficient evidence to

enable a rational juror to find Yehling had knowledge of the first essential

objective, obtaining methamphetamine in California and Colorado. FBI Special

Agent Buie testified Yehling admitted to knowing W herley had made several trips

to California with A vril and Sullings to obtain methamphetamine. Yehling also

told Buie that W herley approached him about locating a supplier in Colorado. A

rational juror thus could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Yehling knew

the conspiracy involved obtaining methamphetamine in California and Colorado.

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 The conspiracy also entailed the redistribution of methamphetamine

obtained in California and Colorado to residents of Ouray County. Therefore, the

government was required to demonstrate Y ehling knew W herley and Avril

intended to redistribute the methamphetamine they purchased from him, and not

to keep it for personal use. Although the government did not present any direct

evidence regarding Yehling’s knowledge of this objective, the evidence presented

was sufficient to permit a rational juror to infer Yehling knew the

methamphetamine was for distribution. Avril testified Yehling provided him with

an eight-ball of methamphetamine on a single occasion. Although this quantity is

consistent with personal use, the evidence suggests the eight-ball was merely a

sample and Yehling intended to provide larger quantities in the future. W herley

testified he originally approached Yehling in an attempt to find a source in

Colorado to provide large quantities of methamphetamine. In a telephone

conversation intercepted by the FBI shortly after Yehling provided the eight-ball

to Avril, W herley asked Yehling if he had more methamphetamine available.

Yehling indicated he could obtain more the next day, but wanted to ensure

everyone was satisfied before doing so. Yehling also told W herley he was

interested in “turn[ing] over a bunch and make[ing] some dough.” ROA, Supp.

Vol. III, Ex. 49. In a subsequent conversation, Yehling and W herley discussed

the price for an ounce of methamphetamine. W herley testified that four or five

people could use an ounce of methamphetamine in one week, and indicated he

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had purchased ounce quantities in California which he then cut and packaged as

gram quantities for resale. Based on this evidence and Yehling’s knowledge that

W herley had bought and sold methamphetamine in the past, a rational juror could

infer Yehling knew the ounce quantities W herley and Avril were considering

purchasing from his source were for distribution. The government, therefore,

submitted sufficient evidence to prove Yehling’s knowledge of the essential

objectives of the conspiracy.

Yehling also challenges the sufficiency of the government’s evidence with

respect to the element of interdependence. Interdependence exists when “each

alleged coconspirator . . . depend[s] on the successful operation of each ‘link’ in

the chain to achieve the common goal.” United States v. Dickey, 736 F.2d 571,

582 (10th Cir. 1984). In other words, each coconspirator’s “actions must

facilitate the endeavors of other alleged coconspirators or facilitate the venture as

a whole.” Evans, 970 F.2d at 670 (quotation and alterations omitted). Yehling

contends the eight-ball he sold to Avril is insufficient to demonstrate

interdependence when considered in the context of the large quantities of

methamphetamine W herley regularly imported from California. Yehling’s

argument, however, ignores the evidence suggesting the eight-ball was merely a

sample to be followed by larger quantities of methamphetamine in the future.

W herley testified that after several years of traveling to California to obtain

methamphetamine for resale in Colorado, he wanted to locate a supplier in

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Colorado. W herley approached Yehling for assistance. Yehling found a source,

introduced him to W herley, and supplied samples with the understanding that

larger quantities could be purchased in the future. Because Yehling provided a

potential local source of methamphetamine that could then be resold by W herley

and Avril to customers in Ouray County, his actions facilitated the conspiracy.

Each alleged coconspirator was dependent upon the activities of the other

coconspirators to achieve the common goal of distributing methamphetamine for

profit. W herley and Avril relied on Yehling, and others, to provide

methamphetamine for redistribution. Yehling in turn relied on W herley, Avril,

and the distributors and customers further down the chain to provide a market for

methamphetamine he provided. W ithout the assistance of W herley, Avril, and

other coconspirators, Yehling would not have had the opportunity to “turn over a

bunch and make some dough.” ROA, Supp. Vol. III, Ex. 49. Finally, the

distributors and customers in Ouray County were dependent on W herley, Avril,

and, further up the chain, Yehling, to provide methamphetamine.

In establishing interdependence, it is irrelevant that Yehling never actually

provided large quantities of methamphetamine to W herley for redistribution. The

essence of a conspiracy is an agreement to violate the law. United States v.

Johnson, 977 F.2d 1360, 1371 (10th Cir. 1992). Yehling’s failure to provide

large quantities of methamphetamine, as planned, did not negate the unlawful

agreement; it merely made the conspiracy less successful than it might otherwise

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have been because W herley and Avril were required to locate another local source

or distribute less methamphetamine. Based on the evidence presented by the

government, a rational juror could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the

alleged coconspirators were interdependent. Therefore, Yehling’s conviction for

conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine

is supported by sufficient evidence.

B . U nreasonable D elay Claim s

Yehling also argues the district court’s four-year delay in ruling on his

motion for a new trial deprived the district court of jurisdiction and constituted

denial of a speedy trial and due process of law . He asks this court to reverse his

conviction and vacate his sentence.

W e first address Yehling’s jurisdictional claim. 4 Jurisdictional questions

are reviewed de novo. Huerta v. Gonzales, 443 F.3d 753, 755 (10th Cir. 2006).

In support of his claim that the district court lost jurisdiction over his case

because of its delay in ruling on his motion for a new trial, Yehling cites a single

Colorado state court case. See Grundel v. People, 79 P. 1022 (Colo. 1905). The

defendant in Grundel pleaded guilty to gambling and was sentenced three years

4
The relief Yehling seeks in raising his jurisdictional claim is unclear. If,
as Yehling argues, the district court lost jurisdiction because of the delay, the
result would be invalidation of the district court’s actions after the delay, i.e., the
denial of Y ehling’s motion for a new trial and Yehling’s resentencing. Success
on his jurisdictional claim would not affect Yehling’s conviction or his original
sentence because Yehling does not challenge the district court’s jurisdiction at the
time judgment was entered.

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later. The appellate court dismissed the charges, concluding “[i]n the absence of

a permissive statute, the indefinite postponement of sentence upon one convicted

of crime deprives the court of jurisdiction to pronounce sentence at a subsequent

term.” Id. at 1023. W e express no opinion regarding the holding of Grundel

because it is inapposite here. The district court imposed Yehling’s sentence four

months after he w as found guilty. During the pendency of Y ehling’s motion for a

new trial, a valid, final sentence existed. Thus, in contrast to Grundel, Yehling’s

sentence was not indefinitely postponed. Yehling has not cited, and we cannot

find, any authority for the proposition that a district court loses jurisdiction as a

result of delay in deciding a motion for a new trial after the defendant has been

sentenced. W e therefore reject Yehling’s jurisdictional claim.

Yehling also contends the district court’s delay deprived him of a speedy

trial and due process of law . In evaluating claims of unreasonable delay in

crim inal cases, w e review questions of law de novo and questions of fact for clear

error. United States v. Davis, 1 F.3d 1014, 1017–18 (10th Cir. 1993); see also

United States v. Smith, 94 F.3d 204, 208 (6th Cir. 1996). Yehling raised his

speedy trial and due process claims for the first time in a motion to dismiss for

lack of jurisdiction after the district court denied his motion for a new trial.

Yehling then filed a notice of appeal, depriving the district court of jurisdiction

before it ruled on his motion to dismiss. W e generally do not consider issues on

appeal that were not ruled on below. R. Eric Peterson Constr. Co. v. Quintek,

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Inc. (In re R. Eric Peterson Constr. Co.), 951 F.2d 1175, 1182 (10th Cir. 1991).

Under the unique facts presented here, however, we need not remand the case to

the district court to address Yehling’s unreasonable delay claims in the first

instance. Even accepting Yehling’s allegations as true, he has not demonstrated a

speedy trial or due process violation.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees all criminal defendants the right to a

speedy trial; w e have applied this right from arrest through sentencing. Perez v.

Sullivan, 793 F.2d 249, 253 (10th Cir. 1986); see Pollard v. United States, 352

U.S. 354, 361 (1957). Protection against unreasonable delay in the appellate

process is similarly provided by the Fifth Amendment right to due process of law.

See Harris v. Champion, 15 F.3d 1538, 1558 (10th Cir. 1994) (applying, through

Fourteenth Amendment, right to due process when state delayed prosecution of

habeas petitioner). Yehling’s claim, however, does not fit squarely into either of

these categories. The delay in this case occurred after Yehling’s sentence was

imposed, but before he filed a notice of appeal. Nevertheless, the interests

protected by preventing unreasonable delay from arrest through sentencing and

throughout the appellate process are also endangered by delay in deciding a

motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Faded memories or

misplaced evidence may impair a defendant’s ability to adequately defend himself

if he is granted a new trial. See Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 526, 532 (1972).

Delay may also produce anxiety or drain a defendant’s financial resources.

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M oore v. Arizona, 414 U.S. 25, 27 (1973). Because of these similarities, we see

no reason to exempt a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence

from protection against unreasonable delay. W e therefore examine the delay in

this case to determine if it rises to the level of a constitutional violation.

In Barker, the Supreme Court established a balancing test to determine

whether a particular delay violates a defendant’s right to a speedy trial. 407 U.S.

at 530. The Court identified four factors that should be assessed and balanced:

(1) the length of delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) the defendant’s assertion

of his right; and (4) prejudice to the defendant. Id. None of the factors are

necessary or sufficient; rather, the factors are related and should be considered

together w ith other relevant circumstances. Id. at 533. Although Barker

addressed only a defendant’s right to a speedy trial, this court subsequently

adopted the Barker analysis in determining w hether a defendant’s due process

right to a timely direct criminal appeal in state court had been violated. Harris,

15 F.3d at 1559. Because the Barker test also provides an appropriate framew ork

to evaluate delay in deciding a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered

evidence, we apply it in assessing Yehling’s claim.

The first factor, length of delay, functions as a “triggering mechanism.”

Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. The remaining factors are examined only if the delay is

long enough to be presumptively prejudicial. Id. Yehling filed his motion for a

new trial on December 4, 2001. The government filed its response on December

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26, 2001. The district court denied Yehling’s motion three years and eight

months later. Although there is no definitive number of months or years that will

trigger consideration of the remaining Barker factors, the delay of three years and

eight months in this case is presumptively prejudicial. See United States v. Batie,

433 F.3d 1287, 1290 (10th Cir. 2006) (observing pretrial delay approaching one

year sufficient to trigger Barker analysis for determining speedy trial violation);

Harris, 15 F.3d at 1560 (concluding two-year delay in adjudicating direct

criminal appeal gives rise to presumption of inordinate delay); Perez, 793 F.2d at

255 (stating fifteen-month delay in sentencing was sufficient to require inquiry

into remaining Barker factors). Thus, we must examine the remaining Barker

factors. M oreover, because the delay here was substantial and Yehling’s motion

for a new trial did not raise complex legal or factual issues, the length of delay

weighs in Yehling’s favor. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530–31 (observing complexity of

case may affect reasonableness of delay).

The second factor, the reason for the delay, “weighs against the government

in proportion to the degree to which the government caused the delay.” Batie,

433 F.3d at 1291. Purposeful delay weighs heavily against the government.

Barker, 407 U.S. 531. “A more neutral reason such as negligence or overcrowded

courts [is] weighted less heavily but nevertheless should be considered since the

ultimate responsibility for such circumstances must rest with the government

rather than with the defendant.” Id. Yehling does not allege any attempt at

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intentional delay by the government; rather, he acknowledges the delay in this

case w as the result of negligence. Thus, this factor also w eighs in Y ehling’s

favor, but not heavily.

The third factor assesses w hether a defendant asserted his right to

adjudication without unreasonable delay. Id. In Barker, the Supreme Court

rejected the contention that a defendant who fails to demand a speedy trial waives

the right. Id. at 528. The Court also declined to adopt the antithetical view that a

defendant has no duty to assert the right. Id. Instead, the Court determined a

defendant’s assertion of, or failure to assert, his right to a speedy trial is merely

one factor to be considered in determining whether the right has been violated.

Id.

Yehling filed motions in M arch 2004 and 2005 seeking permission from the

district court to travel to Cozumel and Boston, respectively. Both motions

indicated Yehling had filed a motion for a new trial on December 4, 2001, and the

motion was still pending before the district court. Neither motion, however,

asserted Yehling’s right to a timely decision on his motion for a new trial or

requested that the district court rule on the motion without further delay. See

Perez, 793 F.2d at 256 (observing defendant’s failure to file a formal motion

requesting sentencing was indicative of defendant’s acquiescence in fifteen-month

delay); see also Barker, 407 U.S. at 529. In fact, Yehling did not file a motion

asserting his right to a decision without unreasonable delay until after the district

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court had denied his motion for a new trial. A defendant’s burden to actively

assert his right “is not satisfied merely by moving to dismiss after the delay has

already occurred.” Batie, 433 F.3d at 1291. The third factor thus weighs against

Yehling.

The final Barker factor analyzes prejudice to the defendant resulting from

the delay. Barker, 407 U.S. at 532. Prejudice is assessed in light of the interests

the speedy trial and due process rights were designed to protect: preventing

oppressive incarceration, minimizing anxiety and concern of the defendant, and

limiting the possibility that the defense will be impaired. Id. at 532. W e

observed in Perez that once a defendant has been convicted, the rights of society

increase in proportion to the rights of the defendant. 793 F.2d at 256. Post-

conviction prejudice therefore “must be substantial and demonstrable.” Id.

Yehling was free on a personal recognizance bond during the pendency of

his motion for a new trial. Nevertheless, he asserts the delay interfered with his

personal liberty because he was under the supervision of federal probation

officials and subject to drug screening. Although Yehling was subject to

supervision during the pendency of his motion, 5 he was able to maintain stable

5
Yehling’s bond conditions included the following: remain in Colorado
absent prior permission from the district court, report regularly to a supervising
probation officer, refrain from excessive use of alcohol and any use of a
controlled substance, submit to random urine analysis, and participate in a
substance abuse counseling program if deemed advisable by the supervising
officer.

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employment, marry, and purchase a home. M oreover, on the only two occasions

Yehling sought permission from the district court to leave the state of Colorado, it

was granted. Thus, his liberty was not greatly restricted. See Barker, 407 U.S. at

532 (identifying prevention of oppressive incarceration as interest protected by

right to speedy trial).

Yehling also asserts he suffered anxiety because of the delay in resolution

of his motion for a new trial. To establish prejudice as a result of anxiety, a

defendant must make a particularized and substantial showing of anxiety

distinguishable from anxiety suffered by other similarly situated defendants.

Harris, 15 F.3d at 1565. Even assuming Yehling suffered anxiety, he has not

alleged particular or substantial anxiety that makes his situation different from

that of other defendants awaiting a decision on a motion for a new trial. The facts

of this case are similar to Barker. 407 U.S. 514. The defendant in Barker spent

ten months in jail awaiting trial before being released on bond. Id. at 534. The

defendant remained free on bond for over three years before he was finally tried

and convicted. Id. In assessing the defendant’s speedy trial claim, the C ourt

acknowledged the defendant suffered some prejudice by living “under a cloud of

suspicion and anxiety” for over four years. Id. The Court, however, concluded

the “prejudice was minimal” in light of the defendant’s failure to allege the delay

impaired his defense. Id. Because Yehling’s alleged prejudice is similarly

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minimal, 6 he has failed to make the required showing of substantial prejudice.

Thus, the fourth factor w eighs against Y ehling.

Although the first two Barker factors— length of delay and reason for the

delay— weigh in favor of finding a constitutional violation in this case, the last

two factors do not. Yehling did not timely assert his right to a decision without

unreasonable delay, and he failed to allege particularized and substantial

prejudice resulting from the delay. Though none of the Barker factors are

dispositive, the Supreme Court has observed a defendant’s assertion of his right

carries strong weight in determining whether the right was actually violated

because “[t]he more serious the deprivation, the more likely a defendant is to

complain.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. Additionally, we have indicated the

necessity of showing substantial prejudice dominates the Barker balancing test

once a defendant has been convicted. Perez, 793 F.2d at 256. Because the first

and second Barker factors do not compensate for Y ehling’s failure to timely

assert his right or allege substantial prejudice, Yehling has failed to establish the

delay deprived him of a speedy trial or due process of law.

6
Yehling does not assert the delay impaired his defense in the event of a
retrial, and he does not appeal the district court’s denial of his motion for a new
trial.

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IV. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, Yehling’s unreasonable delay claims are

DENIED and his conviction is AFFIRM ED.

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