United States v. Chandler
Docket: No. 07-30495
Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; March 5, 2009; Federal Appellate Court
Mitchell James Chandler appealed his jury conviction for attempted escape under 18 U.S.C. § 751(a). The court affirmed the conviction, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Chandler's motions for continuance of the trial. Key points include: 1. Extensive in-person meetings between Chandler and his defense counsel were not essential for trial preparation, as alternative communication methods, such as phone calls, were available. 2. Chandler had opportunities for face-to-face meetings with his attorney upon arriving in Billings, Montana, which he did not utilize, indicating a lack of diligence in preparing his defense. 3. The charge of attempted escape was straightforward, and Chandler's defense, based on suicide, had been thoroughly discussed and documented prior to the trial. 4. Chandler had previously been granted a two-month continuance, and further continuances would disrupt the court's schedule. 5. Chandler failed to demonstrate any prejudice from the denial of his motions, particularly given the strong evidence of guilt presented at trial, including the timing of the escape attempt and corroborating witness testimonies. Chandler did not request additional time for psychiatric evidence, distinguishing his case from similar precedents. The court concluded with an affirmation of the lower court's decisions, noting that the disposition is not suitable for publication and does not serve as precedent except as outlined by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.