Wayne Paul Burkett v. Richard Cunningham, Warden , 826 F.2d 1208 ( 1987 )

BECKER, Circuit Judge.

These two habeas corpus appeals by Wayne Paul Burkett, arising out of three state court convictions, require us to determine whether a federal court, presented with post-conviction delay ranging from excessive to monumental, should not only deem state remedies exhausted, but also grant writs of habeas corpus on account of the delay. Each of the convictions took place in the Blair County, Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas, where the problem of delay seems endemic. See infra at 1227 & n. 48.

In No. 86-3074, we confront a delay of two years and four months between conviction and sentencing, plus several additional months of delay during the state appellate process. No. 86-3121 encompasses two separate convictions. In one, we face a three and one-half year delay between conviction and sentencing and a further, ongoing delay (approximately one year and nine months at this writing) in the commencement of the state appellate process because of the tardiness of the Blair County court system both in furnishing an opinion on post-verdict motions and sentencing and in transmitting the trial record to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. In the other, we confront an almost unbelievable situation: Burkett has yet to be sentenced, more than five and one-half years after trial and two years after a federal district court declared that Burkett’s right to a speedy trial would be violated if he were not sentenced within 60 days.

As a preliminary procedural matter, we observe that in No. 86-3121 the district court used Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) to vacate and reenter its previous order of judgment, in effect extending the time for appeal, because Burkett, despite due diligence, did not learn of the entry of judgment until after expiration of the period for requesting an extension of time to appeal. Fed.R.App.P. 4(a)(5). Under the particular circumstances of the case, we hold that the district court had the power to vacate and reenter the final order.

We also must make important threshold legal determinations. First, does the Constitution’s Speedy Trial clause apply through the sentencing phase of the prosecution? We conclude that it does. Second, does the Due Process clause protect against delays in appeals as of right? We also conclude that it does. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm the district court’s dismissal for want of exhaustion in No. 86-3074. We will reverse the court’s dismissal for want of exhaustion in No. 86-3121, and, on those claims concerning the case for which Burkett has been sentenced but his appeal hindered, we will remand for consideration of the merits of Burkett’s constitutional claims, including the delay itself. That leaves for consideration the conviction for which Burkett has still not been sentenced for five and one-half years after verdict, two years of which follow the district court’s order declaring that the Constitution required sentencing within 60 days, an order predicated on a finding of a speedy trial violation which was not challenged by the county. The violation having been established as law of the case, and reinforced by the continuing delay, and the county having conceded at oral argument that the only appropriate remedy appears to be dismissal, we will remand the case to the district court with instructions to grant the writ unconditionally and discharge Burkett from that conviction.

I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

The factual matrix of these appeals lies in the procedural history of Burkett’s criminal ■ cases. That history is extremely involved, and resolution of these appeals requires that we set it forth in detail.

A. State Courts: Round I

Burkett was arrested on February 7, 1981 and charged in the Blair County Court of Common Pleas with the crimes later detailed in criminal actions Nos. 140 and 141 of 1981 (“140/141”).¹ Six days later, he was charged with the crimes detailed in criminal action No. 161 of 1981 (“161”).² On July 22, 1981 the prosecution moved under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 1100(c) to extend the 180-day deadline for commencing trial otherwise required under Rule 1100(a)(2). On October 7, 1981 the court, despite Burkett’s objection and motion to dismiss, granted the prosecution’s request.

In 140/141, Burkett was convicted on November 17, 1981 of some charges³ and acquitted of others;⁴ a mistrial was declared on the remaining counts when the jury hung.⁵ On November 20, 1981, both sides consented to a continuance in 161. On January 20,1982 Burkett was convicted in 161 on all counts.

Having filed timely post-verdict motions concerning both trials, Burkett was released on bail pending sentencing on February 24,1982. After 48 days, on April 13, 1982, he was rearrested and charged with the crimes later detailed in criminal action No. 284 of 1982 (“284”).⁶ Burkett has been continuously incarcerated since this arrest.

On August 19, 1982 the court ordered the district attorney to show cause why transcripts of Burkett’s trials should not be furnished to him at the court’s expense. The record reflects no subsequent hearing or order on the matter. It appears that only transcripts for 161 were prepared at that time.

In 284, the prosecution requested and received several Rule 1100 continuances, beginning on October 1, 1982. Burkett filed motions to dismiss for lack of timely prosecution beginning on October 15, 1982. The court denied dismissal and granted further continuances on November 5 and December 29, 1982 and January 4, 1983. On January 28, 1983 Burkett was convicted of all felony and misdemeanor counts by a jury and on January 31, 1983 the court found him guilty of the charged summary offense. Burkett filed timely post-verdict motions.

At least by July 1983, Burkett was requesting trial transcripts of 140/141 and 284. App. 183. Transcripts for 284 were completed and filed in August 1983. The other transcripts were not prepared. No briefing or hearing was scheduled on Burkett’s post-verdict motions in any of his cases, and under Pennsylvania law he could not be sentenced until the court had ruled on those motions.⁷

On March 12, 1984, Burkett filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the Blair County Court of Common Pleas, challenging his custody in all three cases on the basis of speedy trial and due process violations and because he had still not been sentenced. A hearing on this petition was held in October 1984, after which a briefing schedule was set for 161 and 284. When no ruling was forthcoming on the habeas petition, Burkett filed for relief on similar grounds in the Pennsylvania Superior Court on December 12, 1984.⁸ Burkett’s brief in 284 was filed on January 23, 1985.

Meanwhile, Burkett had also sought to raise the issue of counsel’s ineffectiveness in order to preserve that issue for appeal.⁹ He objected to proceeding with a hearing on his post-verdict motions in 284 on January 23,1985, because his motion concerning ineffectiveness in that action, filed September 6, 1984, had yet to be resolved. The hearing was adjourned, and an ineffectiveness hearing was later scheduled for April 1, 1985. As of March 1985, Burkett's post-verdict motions in 161 and 284 had been briefed but not argued, and no briefing had been scheduled in 140/141 because no transcripts had been filed, even though Burkett had filed yet another motion to compel production of those transcripts on January 14, 1985.

B. Federal Courts: Round I

On March 28, 1985 Burkett filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus at W.D.Pa.Civ. No. 85-769, charging that the delay in sentencing in all of his cases violated his rights under the Speedy Trial clause. See App. at 154; Supp.App. at 3. We also construe the petition to allege a due process violation. The magistrate granted in forma pauperis status and ordered an answer on March 29, 1985. Blair County filed a timely answer, to which Burkett filed a response.

The magistrate filed a report and recommendation on May 15, 1985. Finding exhaustion excused because of inordinate delay, he discussed whether Burkett had established a speedy trial violation under the four-part test of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2191-92, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972). The magistraté, finding lengthy delay, noted Burkett’s repeated requests to be sentenced and attributed no delay to him. The magistrate found prejudice — that the delay had “caused some loss to the petitioner,” see infra at 1223 n. 36 — and that “it would appear to be a fundamental denial of the constitutionally assured right to a speedy trial to delay ruling on post-trial motions far in excess of three years.” Supp.App. 11. He reasoned, however, that “it would appear appropriate to withhold any action,” id. at 12, based apparently on an order of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas that a hearing on post-trial motions in 284 be scheduled “for the earliest possible date consistent with the calendar of this Court.” The magistrate therefore recommended with respect to all of Burkett’s cases that the writ be denied “unless the Court of Common Pleas fails to dispose of the post-trial motions and impose any appropriate sentence within sixty (60) days.” Id.

The district court granted the parties ten days for the filing of objections to the report and recommendation of the magistrate, but no objections were filed and no extensions of time were sought. The district court adopted the magistrate’s report and recommendation in full as its opinion on May 30, 1985, declaring that the Constitution permitted Blair County 60 further days from that date in which to sentence Burkett.¹⁰ App. 154. Blair County did not appeal, but Burkett did. We denied Burkett a certificate of probable cause to appeal on August 14, 1985, “without prejudice to filing a new petition in the district court.” App. 155.

C. State Courts: Round II

The Blair County court denied Burkett’s state habeas petition (first filed March 12, 1984 as to all three convictions) on June 6, 1985. Having already denied his ineffectiveness motion in 284 on April 2, 1985,¹¹ the court proceeded to deny his post-verdict motions on May 8 and to sentence him on June 24, 1985. Burkett received consecutive sentences totaling 16 to 32 years, which according to the court was the maximum permitted under law.¹² The court filed an opinion with the sentencing order. Burkett’s appeal was docketed in Superior Court at No. 974 Pgh 85.

In 161, post-verdict motions were denied on June 7,1985. Burkett was sentenced on July 10, 1985, although the sentencing order was not filed until September 18, 1985. As a repeat offender, he received consecutive sentences totalling 22 to 44 years.¹³ Burkett’s appeal was docketed in Superior Court at No. 1089 Pgh 85. However, no opinion on post-verdict motions or sentencing was then filed,¹⁴ without which filing the record could not be transmitted to Superior Court¹⁵ and the appeal could not proceed.¹⁶

In 140/141, the court attempted to compel the court reporter to produce the transcripts by entering orders on May 7, 1985 (“forthwith”) and on August 21, 1985 (“on or before ... August 30”). Despite the continuing lack of transcripts, post-verdict motions were heard on August 21, 1985. Despite the hearing, the court has yet to either rule on the motions or sentence Burkett.

D. The Instant Habeas Petitions

Burkett filed the two instant habeas petitions on August 27,1985. Civ. No. 85-1966 (referred to hereinafter as “No. 86-3074,” its docket number on appeal) sought release for the delay in 284 and also claimed that the federal court’s May 30, 1985 order giving the Blair County court 60 days to sentence him had exposed him to a severe retaliatory sentence. Civ. No. 85-1965 (“No. 86-3121” on appeal) asserted similar claims concerning both 140/141 and 161.

In No. 86-3074, by orders dated September 19 and 20,1985, the magistrate ordered a supplemental answer, appointed counsel for Burkett, and set an evidentiary hearing that was eventually held December 23, 1985. On December 24, 1985 the magistrate recommended dismissal for want of exhaustion. After timely objections by Burkett, the district court adopted the magistrate’s report as its opinion on January 15, 1986. Burkett filed a timely appeal.

The magistrate’s report, adopted as the court’s opinion, noted the “considerable delay” in the Blair County court. Based on respondent’s statements at the hearing, however, the magistrate found that “the matter has finally been disposed of by [Blair County], and the complete record has been transmitted to the Superior Court where in the course of normal appellate procedure, the merits of the petition, including the issue of delay can be addressed.” App. 134.¹⁷

In No. 86-3121, the magistrate filed a report on September 23, 1985 without holding an evidentiary hearing. He recommended dismissal for want of exhaustion on the basis that “the matter has finally been disposed of by [Blair County] and is presently the subject of an appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court where in the course of normal appellate procedure the merits of the petition, including the issue of delay can be addressed.” App. 56. Burkett timely objected that he had not been sentenced in 140/141 and that his appeal in 161 could not proceed because Blair County had not transmitted the record (due September 23, 1985) to the Superior Court.¹⁸ The district court adopted the magistrate’s report and recommendation on October 15, 1985

Burkett was transferred to different prisons three times between September and November 1985. Each time he promptly notified the district court of his new address. The court sent the magistrate’s report in No. 86-3121 by certified mail to his correct address on September 23, 1985; it also sent communications to his correct address on October 4, October 9, October 11, and November 12, 1985, each of which assured him that “you will be advised of any decision.” However, the critical final order in No. 86-3121, which was filed by the court on October 15, was sent by uncertified mail to the wrong prison; Burkett did not receive it nor did he learn of it until the December 23, 1985 hearing in No. 86-3074, despite an inquiry by mail on December 16. See App. 75, 175-176. On January 15 and 21, 1986, Burkett moved for reconsideration on two grounds: (1) that he had not been notified of the October 15 order, and (2) that the court had not considered his 140/141 convictions or the continuing delay in his 161 appeal. On January 17, the district court vacated its October 15 order on only the former ground; it then redenied Burkett’s petition for habeas corpus on January 17 and 23, 1986. Burkett filed a notice of appeal from both January orders on February 5, 1986. This Court granted a certificate of probable cause in both appeals on October 21, 1986. Oral argument was heard April 10, 1987.

E. State Courts: Round III

On the day after the instant federal habeas petitions were docketed in the district court, the Pennsylvania Superior Court denied state habeas relief based on delay in all of Burkett’s cases. Burkett then took his state habeas claims to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on September 27, 1985, which eventually denied relief on April 24, 1986.

In the direct appeal on 284, the record was transmitted to Superior Court on January 2, 1986, four months late. So that he could raise his old counsel’s ineffectiveness in his direct appeal, Burkett renewed the request for new counsel that had been denied by the Blair County court. The Superior Court granted the request on April 4, 1986, remanding the case to Blair County for 30 days in which time new counsel could be appointed. After appointing new counsel on April 9, 1986, Blair County did not return the record until July 16, 1986. The appeal then appears to have proceeded normally. The Superior Court denied the appeal on January 12, 1987 and denied rehearing on February 26, 1987. Burkett’s timely petition for allocatur is pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

In 161, Burkett’s sentencing order was filed on September 18, 1985, and the record was due in the Superior Court on September 22, 1985. However, no opinion on post-verdict motions was filed until May 8, 1987 —a month after oral argument in this Court and as the opinion writer was completing the final draft of this opinion for circulation to the other members of the panel. Blair County has not indicated whether a sentencing opinion remains to be filed or whether the record has now been transmitted to the Superior Court.¹⁹ The Superior Court ordered Blair County to appoint new counsel for Burkett on April 3, 1986, and it did so on April 9, 1986.

In 140/141, the first trial transcript was filed on October 22, 1985, but the final transcript was not complete until August 11, 1986. The court scheduled new hearings on post-verdict motions but has not yet held such a hearing. Shortly before oral argument in this case, the latest scheduled hearing had to be postponed again. Blair County had assigned to hear the case a judge who had been a member of the district attorney’s office during the pendency of Burkett’s post-verdict motions, and Burkett successfully moved to recuse the judge. At oral argument counsel indicated that the motions were currently scheduled for hearing on May 21, 1987.

Burkett also filed a new habeas petition in the Blair County court on December 22, 1986, challenging the court’s continued failure to hear post-verdict motions or sentence him in 140/41. The court denied the writ on June 2, 1987. The record does not reveal if Burkett has appealed the denial.

II. APPELLATE JURISDICTION IN NO. 86-3121: EXTENDING TIME FOR APPEAL UNDER RULE 60(b)

Because Burkett filed no appeal as such from the October 15, 1985 final order denying the writ in No. 86-3121, we raise sua sponte the issue of our jurisdiction over that case.²⁰ Burkett did file motions denominated as motions for reconsideration on January 15 and 21, 1986. The district court treated these as a motion for relief from its October 15 order, see Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(b), granted the motion, and redenied the habeas corpus petition on January 17 and 23. Burkett then filed a notice of appeal on February 5, 1986. If the district court had the power to construe the motions as it did in order to allow Burkett to file a timely notice of appeal, we have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 to review the reentered final order.²¹ If the district court’s construction was in error, however, we lack jurisdiction: Burkett’s motions could only be construed as either untimely motions for reconsideration under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e), whose filing deadline in this case would have been October 29, 1985; untimely notices of appeal under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(1), with a filing deadline of November 14, 1985; or untimely motions to extend time to appeal under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(5), due December 16, 1985.

We begin our analysis with the case of West v. Keve, 721 F.2d 91 (3d Cir.1983). In West, we confronted an appellant who had filed a Rule 60(b) motion whose “sole stated purpose ... [was] to extend the time for appeal.” Id. at 96. Carefully limiting our decision to those specific facts, we held that a district court could entertain such a motion only if the motion and subsequent notice of appeal met the time constraints of Rule 4(a)(5). Id. at 97.²²

In Hall v. Community Mental Health Center of Beaver County, 772 F.2d 42 (3d Cir.1985), we applied West to bar relief through a Rule 60(b) motion to a party whose counsel had not been notified by the court of the entry of a final order. We reached this result, even though counsel for neither side had been notified, id. at 46, on the basis of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 77(d), which states that “[l]ack of notice of the entry by the clerk does not affect the time to appeal or relieve or authorize the court to relieve a party for failure to appeal within the time allowed, except as permitted in Rule 4(a).” Id. at 43. Noting counsel’s lack of diligence, however, we expressly declined to decide whether relief might be permitted under Rule 60(b) “when delay in filing an appeal is based on reliance on some affirmative behavior of the district court.” Id. at 45.²³

The instant case is distinguishable from both West and West’s application in Hall. The purpose of Burkett’s motion was different from that under consideration in West. Because Burkett’s motion for reconsideration was motivated not only by his need for more time in which to appeal, but also by the court’s failure to consider his 140/141 convictions and the continuing delay in his 161 appeal, the motion’s “sole stated purpose” was not “to extend the time for appeal.” West, 721 F.2d at 96. We similarly believe that the facts of this case are significantly different from those in Hall, which dealt with the actions of an attorney who was not diligent. Burkett was not only acting pro se but was incarcerated, physically restrained by respondents from checking in person on the status of his case. Cf. Fallen v. United States, 378 U.S. 139, 142-143, 84 S.Ct. 1689, 1691-1692, 12 L.Ed.2d 760 (1964) (court must accept notice of appeal filed late by prisoner because prison prevented its timely filing). He was exceptionally diligent in notifying the court of three address changes and responding to court orders, and the clerk had sent the magistrate’s order to the correct address by certified mail. Most importantly, the clerk wrote Burkett four times in October and November 1985 — thus both before and after the entry of final judgment in No. 86-3121 — and assured him that he would be “advised of any decision.” Only the critical final order was sent to the wrong address. The current situation therefore parallels those from which Hall explicitly distinguished itself: “In these and other cases, the 60(b) motions were allowed because counsel’s duty of diligence was suspended in reliance on some affirmative action of the district court.” 772 F.2d at 45 (citing cases).²⁴

We reaffirm West and Hall and do not extend ourselves to distinguish them, but this case presents exceptional circumstances that justify relief under Rule 60(b) outside the time constraints of Rule 4(a)(5). We emphasize that Burkett was a diligent,²⁵ incarcerated habeas petitioner,²⁶ repeatedly transferred from jail to jail; that affirmative behavior of the court induced him to await notification by the court for a reasonable length of time;²⁷ that he learned of the entry of judgment too late to apply for relief under Rule 4(a)(5); that he promptly sought relief under Rule 60(b) within 30 days of learning of the entry of judgment; and that respondents have shown no prejudice.²⁸

For the foregoing reasons the district court had the power under Rule 60(b)²⁹ to vacate and reenter judgment. Because Burkett then filed a notice of appeal within 30 days of reentry, we have jurisdiction to review the merits of the order under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

III. EXHAUSTION OF STATE REMEDIES

A state prisoner seeking federal habeas relief must first exhaust “the remedies available in the courts of the State” unless “there is either an absence of available State corrective process or the existence of circumstances rendering such process ineffective to protect the rights of the prisoner.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b). As we have noted previously, however, “[i]t is the legal issues that are to be exhausted, not the petitioner.” U.S. ex rel. Geisler v. Walters, 510 F.2d 887, 893 (3d Cir.1975) (quoting Park v. Thompson, 356 F.Supp. 783, 788 (D.Haw.1973)). To that end, “inexcusable or inordinate delay by the state in processing claims for relief may render the state remedy ... ineffective to protect the rights of the prisoner,” excusing a lack of exhaustion. Wojtczak v. Fulcomer, 800 F.2d 353, 354 (3d Cir.1986).

In general, the burden rests on a habeas petitioner to prove all facts warranting relief, Brown v. Cuyler, 669 F.2d 155, 158 (3d Cir.1982), including the facts relevant to the exhaustion requirement, Gonce v. Redman, 780 F.2d 333, 336 (3d Cir.1985). However, where a petitioner has demonstrated inordinate delay, we have placed the burden on respondents to demonstrate why further resort to the state courts should be required. See Wojtczak, 800 F.2d at 355-56; Codispoti v. Howard, 589 F.2d 135, 142 (3d Cir.1978).

The district court that entertained Burkett’s earlier habeas petition found that the delay as of May 1985 was already sufficient to excuse exhaustion. That quite correct finding was part of an order which was not appealed by the state, and we did not grant Burkett’s probable cause petition; the district court’s ruling is therefore not open to collateral attack in this proceeding. Hence, Burkett’s claims would only have become unexhausted if state proceedings have progressed to a sufficient degree.

As to No. 86-3074, Burkett’s direct appeal in 284 now appears to be proceeding normally.³⁰ Blair County has thus complied with the previous court order as to 284. Burkett has alleged that Blair County had further delayed his appeal by transmitting the record four months late, and he alleges a further three-month delay since the district court’s decision. However, it is not disputed that the case is now before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Under the circumstances, we believe that it is appropriate to allow that court, in the first instance, to hear petitioner’s claims. We will therefore affirm the district court’s dismissal for lack of exhaustion in No. 86-3074.

In No. 86-3121, there has been insufficient change for us to find that Burkett’s claims have since become unexhausted. There is no indication that the Pennsylvania appellate courts will soon receive 140/141 or that they will soon dispose of 161, even if we were again inclined to give the state yet more time. Because of the continued delay, we find that Burkett has exhausted his state remedies in this proceeding.³¹

We repeat that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Geisler, 510 F.2d at 893. We fully appreciate the requirements of comity, but further deference to the state courts in No. 86-3121 would constitute a comity of errors, making a mockery of fundamental rights that are guaranteed to the guilty and innocent alike. Hence we hold that the egregious ongoing delay in 140/141 and 161 itself, amounting to five and one-half years, as a matter of law excuses exhaustion of state remedies concerning all federal claims raised by Burkett in 86-3121. See Wojtczak, 800 F.2d at 354. Because the district court erred as a matter of law in finding that Burkett failed to exhaust, its order on that issue must be reversed.³²

IY. CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST DELAY: SPEEDY TRIAL AND DUE PROCESS CONCERNS

Having found both that we have jurisdiction over No. 86-3121 because a timely notice of appeal has been filed and that state remedies have been sufficiently exhausted, we now consider the merits of the legal issues presented in that habeas corpus petition.³³ Burkett’s petition arises at the intersection of two lines of cases. In one line, the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy trial, which applies to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment. See Klopfer v. North Carolina, 386 U.S. 213, 87 S.Ct. 988, 18 L.Ed.2d 1 (1967). In the second line, the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has guaranteed to state criminal defendants procedural safeguards not only at the trial level, but also for appeals as of right. See Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U.S. 387, 105 S.Ct. 830, 83 L.Ed.2d 821 (1985); Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12, 76 S.Ct. 585, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956). We first review the applicable law in both lines to determine if either or both apply and, if so, what relief they may provide. As is explained more fully below, we find both lines applicable. We will therefore apply their analysis to Burkett’s petitions to the extent that the record reveals no material issues of fact.

A. The Right to Speedy Trial

The Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial is a fundamental tenet of Anglo-American jurisprudence. The liberties now embodied therein were first articulated in the very foundation of our English law heritage. See Magna Carta, c. 29 [c. 40 of King John’s Charter of 1215; c. 29 of King Edward’s Charter of 1297] (1225) (“To none will we sell, to none will we deny or delay, right or justice”). The Speedy Trial clause is applicable to state trials as part of the due process required by the Fourteenth Amendment. Klopfer, 386 U.S. at 226, 87 S.Ct. at 995.

In determining whether the right has been violated, a court should weigh four factors: “Length of delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant's assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant.” Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 2192, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972); Sandler v. Sullivan, 748 F.2d 820 (3d Cir.1984). Because “the right to a speedy trial is a more vague concept than other procedural rights,” Barker, 407 U.S. at 521, 92 S.Ct. at 2187, courts are compelled to “approach speedy trial cases on an ad hoc basis,” id. at 530, 92 S.Ct. at 2192. Whether a particular individual’s rights have been violated “depends upon the circumstances,” Pollard, 352 U.S. at 361, 77 S.Ct. at 486, and therefore upon “a functional analysis of the right in the particular context of the case.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 522, 92 S.Ct. at 2188. Hence the Barker analysis presents four factors that “are guidelines, not rigid tests,” Perez v. Sullivan, 793 F.2d 249, 254 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 107 S.Ct. 413, 93 L.Ed.2d 364 (1986), and no single factor is “either a necessary or sufficient condition of the deprivation of a right to a speedy trial.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 533, 92 S.Ct. at 2193.

If this analysis leads to a conclusion that the right to a speedy trial has been violated, the prejudice of the violation must be rectified. See, e.g., Braden v. 30th Judicial Circuit Court of Kentucky, 410 U.S. 484, 486, 93 S.Ct. 1123, 1125, 35 L.Ed.2d 443 (1973). Where the prejudice cannot be rectified, the remedy must be discharge from custody with prejudice to retrial. See Strunk v. United States, 412 U.S. 434, 440, 93 S.Ct. 2260, 2263-64, 37 L.Ed.2d 56 (1973).

Although neither the Supreme Court nor this Court has definitively held that the right to speedy trial applies to post-verdict proceedings, both have assumed arguendo that the right extends at least to sentencing. See, e.g., Pollard v. United States, 352 U.S. 354, 361, 77 S.Ct. 481, 485-86, 1 L.Ed.2d 393 (1957); United States v. Campisi, 583 F.2d 692, 694 (3d Cir.1978); see also Schandelmeier v. Cunningham, 819 F.2d 52, 55 (3d Cir.1986) (dismissing without prejudice, for want of exhaustion, a speedy trial claim in post-verdict context). Other courts — including the district court in Burkett’s earlier habeas action, see Supp. App. 7 — have squarely held that the Speedy Trial clause applies to the sentencing phase of prosecution. Tinghitella v. State of California, 718 F.2d 308, 312-13 (9th Cir.1983); United States v. Merrival, 600 F.2d 717, 720 (8th Cir.1979); United States v. Howard, 577 F.2d 269, 270 (5th Cir.1978); United States v. Reese, 568 F.2d 1246, 1253 (6th Cir.1977); United States v. Campbell, 531 F.2d 1333, 1335 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 851, 98 S.Ct. 164, 54 L.Ed.2d 121 (1977); Juarez-Casares v. United States, 496 F.2d 190, 192 (5th Cir.1974) (prisoner discharged for 31-month delay); Hooper v. Cunningham, Civ. No. 84-2818, slip. op. at 4, 9 (W.D.Pa.Feb. 21, 1985) [Available on WESTLAW, DCT database] (Blair County prisoner unsentenced for 37 months after trial must be discharged from custody), motion to withdraw appeal granted, No. 85-3161 (3d Cir. Sept. 18, 1985).³⁴ Indeed, the Tenth Circuit noted in Perez that, since the Supreme Court’s decision in Pollard, it “and all others which have addressed the issue have either treated the subject as established law or have perpetuated the Court’s assumption in Pollard.” 793 F.2d at 253 (citing cases).

We now make explicit what we have assumed in our previous cases, that the Speedy Trial clause of the Sixth Amendment applies from the time an accused is arrested or criminally charged, United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 320, 92 S.Ct. 455, 463, 30 L.Ed.2d 468 (1971), up through the sentencing phase of prosecution, see Campisi, 583 F.2d at 694 —in other words, until one final, pre-appellate determination has been made as to whether and for how long the accused should be incarcerated.

In Campisi, without deciding this last proposition, we applied the four-part Barker test to speedy trial claims concerning delays in sentencing. Campisi, 583 F.2d at 694. Other courts have done the same. See, e.g., Campbell, 531 F.2d at 1335; Pounds, 417 A.2d at 599-601; see also Perez, 793 F.2d at 254 (deciding definitively that the Speedy Trial clause applies to post-verdict proceedings); Reese, 568 F.2d at 1253 (same). We hold that the proper test to determine a Speedy Trial clause violation in a post-verdict context is the four-factor test of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S.Ct. at 2192. Moreover, we agree with the prevailing caselaw that none of the Barker factors is either necessary or sufficient. Nevertheless, while “all four factors are to be balanced in light of the facts and circumstances of the case,” Perez, 793 F.2d at 254 (citations omitted), “once a defendant has been convicted it would be the rarest of circumstances in which the right to a speedy trial could be infringed without a showing of prejudice.” Id. at 256. Additionally, we agree that Strunk is also applicable in the sentencing context and, if a violation is found, the remedy must be discharge with prejudice to retrial if no lesser remedy can rectify the prejudice to the defendant. 412 U.S. at 440, 93 S.Ct. at 2263-64.

B. Due Process

The Supreme Court has found that the Due Process clause protects the right to direct appeal when that right is guaranteed by the state, even though the Constitution does not require states to grant that right. See, e.g., Evitts, 469 U.S. at 393, 105 S.Ct. at 834. Due process requires that a right to appeal be a right to an “ ‘adequate and effective’ appeal” which is “more than a ‘meaningless ritual.’ ” Id. at 393, 394, 105 S.Ct. at 834 (quoting Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12, 18, 76 S.Ct. 585, 590, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956), and Douglas v. California, 372 U.S. 353, 358, 83 S.Ct. 814, 817, 9 L.Ed.2d 811 (1963)). Due process further protects not only the right “to obtain a favorable decision,” but also the right “to obtain a decision at all ... on the merits of the case.” Evitts, 469 U.S. at 395 n. 6, 105 S.Ct. at 835 n. 6 (emphasis in original). In short a convicted defendant has a right to know what the sentence is to be, and to proceed with a direct appeal.

The Court has been clear in its reasons for extending the meaningful procedural protections of due process to appeals as of right. By deciding that an appeal is so important that it must be available as a matter of right, a state has “made the appeal the final step, in the adjudication of guilt or innocence of the individual.” Id. at 404, 105 S.Ct. at 840 (citing Griffin, 351 U.S. at 18, 76 S.Ct. at 590). The state itself recognizes that an appeal as of right plays such a crucial role that “the State could not ... decide[ ] the appeal ... arbitrar[il]y” or otherwise deny an appellant “fair procedure.” Evitts, 469 U.S. at 404, 105 S.Ct. at 840.

We have held that inordinate and unexcused delays in post-trial or post-conviction proceedings may violate a convict’s “constitutional rights.” Codispoti, 589 F.2d at 142. Several other courts of appeals have identified the source of these rights as the Due Process clause. See, e.g., Lowe v. Letsinger, 112. F.2d 308, 312 (7th Cir.1985); DeLancy v. Caldwell, 741 F.2d 1246, 1247-48 (10th Cir.1984); United States v. Pratt, 645 F.2d 89, 91 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 881, 102 S.Ct. 369, 70 L.Ed.2d 195 (1981); Rheuark v. Shaw, 628 F.2d 297, 302-04 (5th Cir.1980), cert. denied, 450 U.S. 931, 101 S.Ct. 1392, 67 L.Ed.2d 365 (1981); McLallen v. Henderson, 492 F.2d 1298, 1299-1300 (8th Cir.1974); Rivera v. Concepcion, 469 F.2d 17, 19 (1st Cir.1972); Way v. Crouse, 421 F.2d 145, 146-47 (10th Cir.1970); see also U.S. ex rel. Hankins v. Wicker, 582 F.Supp. 180, 185 (W.D.Pa.1984), aff'd mem., 782 F.2d 1028 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 107 S.Ct. 118, 93 L.Ed.2d 64 (1986); Mitchell v. Zimmerman, 582 F.Supp. 186, 187-88 (E.D.Pa.1984). Delays such as those attendant to Burkett’s convictions may therefore violate the strictures of due process.

The Due Process clause thus protects not only against delays in trial, including sentencing; it also guarantees a reasonably speedy appeal if the state has chosen to give defendants the right to “attempt[ ] to demonstrate that the conviction, and the consequent drastic loss of liberty, is unlawful.” Evitts, 469 U.S. at 396, 105 S.Ct. at 836. Where post-verdict delays not only impede sentencing but also the appeal as of right, the clause is doubly implicated. “Due process can be denied by any substantial retardation of the appellate process.” Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 302 (citing cases); see also DeLancy, 741 F.2d at 1247 (same).

“[P]roof of prejudice is generally a necessary but not sufficient element of a due process claim.” United States v. Lovasco, 431 U.S. 783, 790, 97 S.Ct. 2044, 2048-49, 52 L.Ed.2d 752 (1977). Moreover, state actions must be “fundamentally unfair,” not merely undesirable, in order to violate due process. See, e.g., Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 645, 94 S.Ct. 1868, 1872, 40 L.Ed.2d 431 (1974). “However, ... not every delay in the appeal of a case, even an inordinate one, violates due process.” Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 303. The existence of a due process violation must thus be left to an ad hoc determination.

- Because both the Due Process and Speedy Trial clauses constrain post-verdict delay, the Fifth Circuit and the Tenth Circuit have looked to the four Barker factors as a means of determining whether due process has been violated. See DeLancy, 741 F.2d at 1247-48 (reviewing delays occasioned in securing appeal); Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 302-04 (same). Because of both the delay in sentencing and the gatekeeping role played by sentencing in connection with Pennsylvania appeals, we too face the same situation in Burkett’s cases. We agree that, as a general matter, the Barker factors should also inform our due process determination, for “the right to avoid unreasonable delay in the appellate process is similar to the right to a speedy trial.” De-Lancy, 741 F.2d at 1247.

However, the Barker prejudice factor does not run fully concurrently when examining delays in sentencing and delays in initiating appellate review. Compare Smith v. Hooey, 393 U.S. 374, 378-80, 89 S.Ct. 575, 577-78, 21 L.Ed.2d 607 (1969), with Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 303 n. 8. In adapting the prejudice prong of the Barker analysis to appellate delays, courts have identified three interests in promoting prompt appeals:

(1) prevention of oppressive incarceration pending appeal; (2) minimization of anxiety and concern of those convicted awaiting the outcome of their appeals; and (3) limitation of the possibility that a convicted person’s grounds for appeal, and his or her defenses in case of reversal and retrial, might be impaired.

Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 303 n. 8.

The normal remedy for a due process violation is not discharge; rather, a court faced with a violation should attempt to counteract any resulting prejudice demonstrated by a petitioner. However, discharge is warranted where attempting an alternate remedy would not vitiate the prejudice of the fundamental unfairness or would itself violate a petitioner’s constitutional rights. See, e.g., Codispoti, 589 F.2d at 142 (district court must decide “whether a new trial should be held or whether due to the passage of time the charges must be dismissed”); Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 303 n. 8 (if retrial is ordered after substantial delay on appeal, Barker applies directly in determining whether the Speedy Trial clause should bar such retrial).

In exceptionally egregious circumstances, a delay itself may “violate[ ] those ‘fundamental conceptions of justice which lie at the base of our civil and political institutions’ ... and which define ‘the community’s sense of fair play and decency.’ ” Lovasco, 431 U.S. at 790, 97 S.Ct. at 2049 (citations omitted). Once the time that constitutes the delay has elapsed no remedy can call it back. Where delay is so extreme as to assume constitutional proportions, discharge thus becomes less of an unlikely remedy.

Moreover, discharge is a generally available remedy where lesser remedies prove ineffective in curbing a continuing due process violation. Where a court order has denied discharge on the condition that a lesser remedy be granted, but that order has gone unfulfilled, discharge is indeed appropriate. See, e.g., Lane v. Brown, 372 U.S. 477, 485, 83 S.Ct. 768, 773, 9 L.Ed.2d 892 (1963); Brady, 443 F.2d at 1309.

V. THE MERITS

We have found that due process and speedy trial claims may lie to rectify egregious delay in sentencing and initiation of appeal. We will therefore examine, in light of the applicable legal principles just discussed, the two state convictions that are encompassed by No. 86-3121, the habeas corpus petition in which Burkett has exhausted his state remedies.

A. Nos. 140 and 141 of 1981

Burkett has now been incarcerated for well over six years on 140/141 without a sentence. We analyze Burkett’s habeas appeal in light of this delay in sentencing and the resulting delay in Burkett’s ability to appeal, as well as the disregard with which the Blair County court has met the previous federal court order denying further relief on the condition that Burkett be sentenced within 60 days — an order that is now more than two years old.

1. Speedy Trial Violation

Under the law of the case, Burkett has established a speedy trial violation. The district court found on May 30, 1985 that his right to speedy trial would be violated unless Blair County resolved all post-verdict motions and sentenced Burkett within 60 days in all of his cases. The county did not challenge the magistrate’s report and recommendation before either the magistrate or the district court, did not attempt to appeal the district court’s order, sought no extension of time for complying with the order, has not complied with respect to 140/141, and even now offers no excuse for non-compliance.³⁵

As we have noted above, see supra at 1213, both the magistrate and the district court found that all Barker factors weighed to some extent in Burkett’s favor, including a finding that the delay alone had caused Burkett prejudice.³⁶ The findings of the magistrate, including that of a speedy trial violation, were adopted and incorporated by the district court; the district court’s accompanying order is not now subject to collateral attack. Even if it were, we think that the order was well within the district court’s discretion.

The length of delay has grown from three and one-half to five and one-half years. The reason for the additional delay — crowded court calendars and the court reporter’s delay in filing transcripts — must be weighed against the government rather than Burkett. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 514, 92 S.Ct. at 2184. Burkett has continuously asserted his right during this time. Finally, the prejudice to Burkett found by the district court on May 30, 1985 can only have been compounded by the additional two years of delay — he may have lost at least in part the opportunity for concurrent sentencing,³⁷ and we would expect any person to suffer some degree of anxiety and concern after not being sentenced after six years of incarceration. This is particularly so where a federal court order designed to remedy the problem has still had no effect after two years.

Even had there been no prior determination concerning Burkett’s pre-sentence delay, we are aware of no case where relief under the Sixth Amendment was denied where the pre-sentence delay was as egregious as here. The facts of cases denying relief have all involved significantly less extensive delays. Campisi, 583 F.2d at 694-95, Reese, 568 F.2d at 1252-53, Merrival, 600 F.2d at 720, and Perez, 793 F.2d at 252-57, all found delays ranging only from five to 15 months, most of which time (for example, all but 17 days in Merrival) was excusable. Pollard involved a timely but accidentally invalid sentence promptly corrected upon discovery of its invalidity after almost 24 months, see 352 U.S. at 356-57, 361-62, 77 S.Ct. at 483, 485-86; four justices would nonetheless have granted relief even though the petitioner had not requested proper sentencing, id. at 368, 77 S.Ct. at 489 (Warren, C.J., dissenting). Pounds also involved a 24-month delay, about half of which was unexcused, but the appellant neither asserted his right to be sentenced nor showed prejudice. See 417 A.2d at 599-601. Tortorello involved a largely excused 30-month delay. See 391 F.2d at 588-89. Howard involved a resentencing three years after a timely sentence had initially been suspended and the petitioner placed on probation; the court refused to prohibit resentencing pursuant to federal statute because the petitioner had not sought to be sentenced until after revocation of probation was threatened. See 577 F.2d at 270-72. In Tinghitella, the petitioner fled the jurisdiction prior to a timely scheduled sentencing and refused to allow the state’s constitutionally permissible (under the circumstances) offer of sentencing in absentia. See 718 F.2d at 310-13.

For more egregious delays, on the other hand, courts have found that relief was mandated. The petitioner was unconditionally released in Juarez-Casares because of an unexcused 31-month delay for which he had shown possible prejudice, even though he had not asserted his right to prompt sentencing. See 496 F.2d at 191-93. A six-year delay, during which the petitioner was at liberty for the 51 unexcused months, was condemned in Campbell, even though the petitioner had not asserted his right to sentencing; remand was ordered for findings as to prejudice even though his allegations appeared weak. See 531 F.2d at 1334-36.

Because of the procedural posture of this case, arising only after a prior court order, we take special note of Brady. In Brady, the petitioner’s death sentence had been vacated, but the state did not resentence him for eight years. Brady himself preferred death to life (the only statutory alternative), but his counsel would not agree to a sentencing proceeding with only those two options, and the prosecution did not proceed without such agreement. The district court “denied relief” only on the condition that Brady be resentenced promptly to life in prison, with full credit for time served since his arrest. The state promptly complied, and the Fourth Circuit declined to order further relief under the circumstances of the case. See 443 F.2d at 1308-13.

In this case we too have a prior order, but Blair County has not complied with its terms. Therefore, we find a speedy trial violation both from the law of the case and because all four Barker factors weigh in Burkett’s favor. Blair County’s noncompliance with the May 30, 1985 order of the district court removes any doubt as to whether the normal remedy of discharge, see Strunk, 412 U.S. at 440, 93 S.Ct. at 2263-64, should be replaced by a lesser remedy, see Braden, 410 U.S. at 486, 93 S.Ct. at 1125. At this late juncture no remedy short of discharge can vindicate Burkett’s right to speedy trial.³⁸

2. Due Process Violation

Although the delay in sentencing despite the order violates the Sixth Amendment speedy trial guarantee and by itself justifies discharge,³⁹ the delay in sentencing also prohibits Burkett from pursuing an appeal in this case. Burkett’s due process rights are thus implicated. We therefore examine the Barker factors as they apply to delay in appellate review, and we find that this delay in sentencing has deprived Burkett of due process.

Burkett has shown monumental delay in this case. There being no excuse for the delay, two of the Barker factors inure immediately to his favor. Moreover, he asserted his right to speedy sentencing at least by March 1984, and the record reflects his efforts to obtain trial transcripts to prepare post-verdict motions in August 1982 and July 1983.

We also find that Burkett has been prejudiced by the monumental delay he has encountered in his attempts to secure his appeal as of right. “In bringing an appeal as of right from his conviction, a criminal defendant is attempting to demonstrate that the conviction, and the consequent drastic loss of liberty, is unlawful.” Evitts, 469 U.S. at 396, 105 S.Ct. at 836. Due process guarantees a criminal appellant certain minimum safeguards to make that appeal adequate and effective. See id. at 393-94, 105 S.Ct. at 834-35; Griffin, 351 U.S. at 20, 76 S.Ct. at 591. In this case, it is not only that Burkett has been deprived his right to review “at a meaningful time.” Armstrong v. Manzo, 380 U.S. 545, 552, 85 S.Ct. 1187, 1191, 14 L.Ed.2d 62 (1965). Rather, he has also been prejudiced because of “the possibility that a convicted person’s grounds for appeal, and his or her defenses in case of reversal and retrial, might be impaired.” Rheuark, 628 F.2d at 303 n. 8. Moreover, the possible anxiety and concern that speedy trial rights protect, and which may have arisen from the extreme delay in sentencing, could have been compounded by the delay in allowing an initiation of appeal. See id. Finally, we have noted that the district court in its Order of May 30, 1985, found that Burkett was prejudiced in this way by his delayed sentencing and that order is not subject to collateral attack. The prejudice is equal for the delay in appeal and is only exacerbated by the continued delay. In sum, the actions of the Blair County Court have not merely been undesirable, but so fundamentally unfair that they amount to a violation of the process which Burkett is due. Because of the unusual circumstances of this case discussed above, we find discharge the appropriate remedy for this due process violation.

3. Disposition

In 140/141, Burkett has now been incarcerated for more than six years without the finality that sentencing imparts to a trial and without the guaranteed appellate determination of whether it is proper to imprison him at all on these charges.⁴⁰ He has shown prejudice to his right to a speedy trial and to fair procedure, and such egregious delays have violated fundamental conceptions of justice, fair play, and decency. Moreover, Blair County continues to violate a court order that would have permitted a lesser remedy than discharge. When pressed by this Court, the Assistant District Attorney representing Blair County conceded that the record was sufficient for this Court to order discharge as to 140/141. Tr. Or. Arg. 25.⁴¹

“Although the failure of the district court to apply the correct legal standard should normally result in a remand, we need not remand if ‘the record permits only one resolution of the factual issue.’ ” A.J. Canfield v. Honickman, 808 F.2d 291, 307 (3d Cir.1986) (quoting Pullman Standard v. Swint, 456 U.S. 273, 291-92, 102 S.Ct. 1781, 1791-92, 72 L.Ed.2d 66 (1982)). The undisputed material facts in this case constitute a continuing violation of Burkett’s speedy trial and due process rights. Under the unusual circumstances of this case, including the ongoing violation of the federal court order and Blair County’s concession as to the appropriate remedy, it appears that no relief short of discharge could fully remedy these violations. We therefore order that the district court issue a writ of habeas corpus forthwith and discharge Burkett from his convictions in Nos. 140 and 141 of 1981.

B. No. 161 of 1981

Burkett was arrested in 161 on February 13, 1981, convicted on January 20, 1982, and sentenced on July 10, 1985. He has been unable effectively to appeal this conviction and sentence, however, because of the trial court’s delay in filing an opinion and the delay of the Blair County prothonotary in transmitting the record, which was due in Superior Court more than 21 months ago.⁴²

The district court held in May 1985 that, if Burkett were promptly sentenced, no Speedy Trial Clause violation would have been established. We did not disturb that order in denying Burkett a certificate of probable cause, and he proffers no facts that would suggest that the Barker factors should now be weighed differently. Because Burkett was promptly sentenced, it is the law of the case that he is not entitled to relief under the Speedy Trial clause.⁴³

However, Burkett has additionally met delay in the processing of his case for referral to the appellate court. This delay implicates his right to due process of law, and we must therefore analyze it under the four factors of Barker. Under the first factor, the factual record reveals that delay certainly exists: it has been almost two years since he was sentenced, yet, until a scant months ago, well after this case was argued to us, the trial court had not taken the first step to clear Burkett’s way for appeal, and it is still not certain that his way has now been cleared.⁴⁴

As for the second factor, the county has offered no excuse whatsoever for this con-timing delay in completing the process, guaranteed under Pennsylvania law, of determining whether Burkett is properly incarcerated under his January 1982 conviction on these charges. As noted supra at 1212 & n. 7, 1213-1214 nn. 14-16, under Pennsylvania law the trial court could not transmit the record until the relevant opinion had been filed; even now, it is not clear that the record has been transmitted, and the appeal cannot proceed without the record. Because Burkett has diligently asserted his right to appeal, the third Barker factor also weighs heavily in his favor.

As for the fourth Barker factor, we find that the factual record is not sufficiently developed to allow us to make a determination concerning prejudice. Although the length of Burkett’s post-verdict incarceration without being able to appeal approaches the length of the corresponding delay in 140/141, an undetermined portion of the resulting prejudice in 161 may have been mitigated or cured by Blair County’s prompt sentencing of Burkett following the May 30, 1985 order of the district court. We will therefore remand for factual findings concerning the types of prejudice we have identified, see supra at 1222, and for a balancing of the Barker factors.⁴⁵ It is therefore the district court in the first instance that will determine if the delay in initiating appellate review has been so egregious as to deny Burkett his due process guarantees.

It appears that Burkett raised only the issue of delay in his habeas petitions because he believed he could raise no other issues until the delay was remedied. Because delay has excused any non-exhaustion of any issues which Burkett has to this point attempted to raise in the state courts, however, we will direct the trial court to allow him on remand to plead and join other such federal claims if he so desires. The district court should appoint counsel.⁴⁶

VI. CONCLUSION

It is not within our province to judge the stewardship of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas in disposing of its criminal docket. Judge Brumbaugh in his very recent opinion denying Burkett relief in 161 has recounted in some detail the judicial manpower shortage afflicting that county from 1979 to 1982).⁴⁷ The States Supreme Court has made clear, however, that “negligence or overcrowded courts should be weighted ... [against the government] since the ultimate responsibility for such circumstances must rest with the government rather than with the defendant.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.Ct. at 2192. Including Burkett’s previous habeas action, federal courts have before today called attention to unconstitutional delays in processing criminal cases in Blair County on at least three occasions: Hooper v. Cunningham, Civ. No. 84-2818 (W.D.Pa. Feb. 21, 1985) [Available on WESTLAW, DCT database]; Burkett v. Cunningham, Civ. No. 85-769 (W.D.Pa. May 30, 1985); Schandelmeier v. Cunningham, 819 F.2d 52 (3d Cir.1986).⁴⁸ This case is the most egregious of all. For the reasons we have set forth, partial relief will be granted to Burkett now and he may attempt to obtain further relief on remand.

When a county justice system is unable to provide convicts with even the most rudimentary due process — decisions on whether they received fair trials, decisions whether and for how long they should be incarcerated, and performance of the ministerial tasks of compelling transcripts and transmitting records to the appellate courts— federal courts are compelled to grant relief when the violations reach constitutional dimensions, both to guard the rights of those who may have been falsely or unfairly accused and to guard the integrity of our justice system itself.

In No. 86-3074, the judgment of the district court will be affirmed.

In No. 86-3121, the judgment of the district court will be reversed. Concerning Blair County Criminal No. 161 of 1981, the case will be remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Concerning Nos. 140 and 141 of 1981, the case will be remanded to the district court with instructions to issue the writ of habeas corpus forthwith, discharging Burkett from his conviction on those charges.

Because we have reversed concerning two of Burkett’s three convictions, costs in these consolidated appeals shall be taxed two-thirds against appellees and one-third against appellant.

1 . Information Nos. 140 and 141 of 1981 were both filed March 17/ 1981. Each charged Burkett with the felonies of burglary, rape, and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; and with the misdemeanors of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property, indecent assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, and indecent exposure. In addition, No. 140 of 1981 charged Burkett with corruption of minors, a misdemeanor. The parties have treated 140/141 as a single case, and we shall also.

2 . Information No. 161 of 1981, filed April 7, 1981, charged Burkett with the felonies of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and aggravated assault; and with the misdemeanors of unlawful restraint, indecent exposure, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, and indecent assault.

3 . The jury convicted Burkett of both counts of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and terroristic threats. It also convicted him of corruption of minors.

4 . The jury acquitted Burkett of both counts of indecent assault and indecent exposure. It also acquitted him of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in No. 141 of 1981. The record does not reveal the disposition of the latter count in No. 140 of 1981.

5 . The jury hung as to both counts of rape, recklessly endangering, and unlawful restraint.

6 . Information No. 284 of 1982, filed June 18, 1982, charged Burkett with the felonies of burglary and attempted rape; with the misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, and simple assault; and with the summary offense of harassment.

7 . See Commonwealth v. Hill, 282 Pa.Super. 462, 422 A.2d 1385, 1387 (1980); Pa.R.Crim.P. 1123 comment.

8 . Relief was ultimately denied by the Superior Court on August 28, 1985 and by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on April 24, 1986.

9 . Motions concerning counsel’s ineffectiveness were filed in 140/141 on July 11 and December 2, 1984 (never ruled on); in 161 on July 11 and August 14, 1984 (never ruled on); and in 284 on July 11 and September 6, 1984 (ultimately denied April 2, 1985).

10 . The district court’s order reads:

It is ordered that the petition of Wayne Burkett for a writ of habeas corpus is dismissed and that a certificate of probable cause is denied, unless the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County fails to dispose of the post-trial motions and impose any appropriate sentence within sixty (60) days.

It is further ordered that in the event that the Court fails to act in accordance with this directive that the petitioner file a new petition, that jurisdiction on the merits be assumed by this Court and that an appropriate merits determination be made.

We find the language of this order far from pellucid. Given the findings of the magistrate and the district court, however, we read the order as a conditional grant of Burkett’s writ. As we read the order, the new "petition” it contemplated was only a petition for enforcement. See infra at 1223 n. 35.

11 . See supra at 1212 n. 9. Burkett’s interlocutory appeal of this denial was quashed by the Superior Court on May 23, 1985.

12 . Burkett received 10 to 20 years for burglary, 5 to 10 for attempted rape, and 1 to 2 years for recklessly endangering, consecutive to each other; plus fines totaling $300 and costs. The other offenses merged for sentencing purposes. No credit was given for time served.

13 . Burkett received 8 to 16 years for rape, 8 to 16 for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, 4 to 8 for aggravated assault, and 2 to 4 for' terroristic threats, all consecutive to each other; plus fines totalling $800 and costs. The other offenses merged for sentencing purposes. The sentence was to commence as of July 10, 1985, with credit given for jail time from February 13, 1981, to February 24, 1982. App. 49-52.

14 . Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(a) provides as follows:

Upon receipt of the notice of appeal the judge who entered the order appealed from, if the reasons for the order do not already appear of record, shall forthwith file of record at least a brief statement, in the form of an opinion, of the reasons for the order, or for the rulings or other matters complained of, or shall specify in writing the place in the record where such reasons may be found.

15 . “When the record is complete for purposes of the appeal, the clerk of the lower court shall transmit it to the prothonotary of the appellate court.” Pa.R.App.P. 1931(c).

16 . Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 2185(a) provides that an appellant's brief shall be due 40 days after the record is transmitted. Rule 1931(a) provides that the lower court clerk shall transmit the record within 40 days of the filing of the notice of appeal (here August 13, 1985). Rule 1931(b) gives the trial judge the original duty of ensuring that the record is completed and transmitted. Rule 1935 also gives, in succession, the appellate court prothonotary, the state Court Administrator, and the state Supreme Court the authority to deal with delinquency by the lower court.

17 . Blair County counsel represented on September 26 and December 23, 1985 that the trial record (due September 1, 1985) was being transmitted to Superior Court. App. 127-28, 204. The Superior Court received the record, without which the appeal could not proceed, on January 2, 1986.

18 . See supra at 1213-14 & nn. 14-16.

19 . See supra at 1213-14 & nn. 14-16. Burkett filed suit in federal court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on February 10, 1985, based on the prothonotary’s failure to transmit the records in 161 and 284. The district court dismissed Burkett's claim concerning only 161 on December 10, 1986 in W.D. Pa.Civ. No. 86-313, and we were forced to dismiss Burkett’s interlocutory appeal for lack of jurisdiction on February 25, 1987 in 3d Cir. No. 86-3785.

20 . "[T]he requirement of a timely notice of appeal is 'mandatory and jurisdictional.' ” Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co., 459 U.S. 56, 61, 103 S.Ct. 400, 403, 74 L.Ed.2d 225 (1982) (citation omitted).

21 . Respondents have not raised the question whether the district court abused its discretion in reentering its final order, so we need not address that issue. See Felshina v. Schweiker, 707 F.2d 71, 72 (2d Cir.1983).

22 . Regardless of our holding in West, at least six Courts of Appeals have allowed relief under Rule 60(b) outside the time constraints under Rule 4(a)(5). See, e.g., Harnish v. Manatee County, Fla., 783 F.2d 1535, 1537-38 (11th Cir.1986); Wallace v. McManus, 776 F.2d 915, 917 (10th Cir.1985) (pro se litigant); Rodgers v. Watt, 722 F.2d 456, 459-60 (9th Cir.1983) (en banc); Felshina, 707 F.2d at 72; Buckeye Cellulose Corp. v. Braggs Elec. Const. Co., 569 F.2d 1036, 1037-38 (8th Cir. 1978); Fidelity & Dep. Co. of Md. v. USAFORM Hail Pool, Inc., 523 F.2d 744, 747-51 (5th Cir.1975), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 950, 96 S.Ct. 1725, 48 L.Ed.2d 194 (1976); see also Sames v. Gable, 732 F.2d 49, 51 n. 2 (3d Cir.1984) (distinguishing West on basis of "special circumstance”).

23 . While not holding so explicitly, at least four Courts of Appeals in addition to this court in Hall have at least assumed arguendo that such relief might be granted. See, e.g., Spika v. Village of Lombard, Ill., 763 F.2d 282, 285 (7th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1056, 106 S.Ct. 793, 88 L.Ed.2d 771 (1986); Case v. BASF Wyandotte, 737 F.2d 1034, 1035 (Fed.Cir.) (pro se litigant), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 982, 105 S.Ct. 386, 83 L.Ed.2d 321 (1984); Hensley v. Chesapeake & O. Ry. Co., 651 F.2d 226, 227 (4th Cir.1981); Scola v. Boat Frances R., Inc., 618 F.2d 147, 152 (1st Cir.1980). See also James v. United States, 459 U.S. 1044, 1046, 103 S.Ct. 465, 466, 74 L.Ed.2d 615 (1982) (opinion of Brennan, J., respecting denial of certiorari).

24 . Indeed, Burkett’s reliance appears to have been reasonable because No. 86-3074, his other federal habeas petition, was docketed simultaneously and was in fact still pending without final resolution.

25 . In addition to Burkett’s prompt notification of all address changes, we note that he wrote the court on December 16, 1985 — the day the Rule 4(a)(5) limit expired — to inquire whether an order had been entered.

26 . We note too that an order in a habeas corpus case is never strictly res judicata. A successive petition alleging the identical grounds may be entertained unless "the judge of court is satisfied that the ends of justice will not be served by such inquiry.” 28 U.S.C. § 2244(a); see Sanders v. United States, 373 U.S. 1, 15, 83 S.Ct. 1068, 1077, 10 L.Ed.2d 148 (1963). Barring Rule 60(b) relief here would thus serve only delay, not finality.

27 . Burkett’s December 16 letter was written only 34 days after the court had last assured him that he would be notified of any decision.

28 . Cf. United States v. Hashagen, 816 F.2d 899 (3d Cir.1987) (in banc) (allowing premature criminal appeal in absence of prejudice); Richerson v. Jones, 551 F.2d 918, 922 (3d Cir.1977) (allowing premature civil appeal in absence of prejudice).

29 . We need not, and do not, decide whether this relief should come under the rubric of Rule 60(b)(2) (where due diligence did not lead to timely discovery of the order); 60(b)(5) (where "it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application”); or 60(b)(6) ("any other reason justifying relief). See Sames, 732 F.2d at 51 n. 2.

30 . The magistrate’s finding in this respect was premature. See supra at 1214-15 & n. 17.

31 . Even if Burkett’s appeal can now proceed in 161, we believe Burkett has waited long enough for the state court system to act and may properly seek relief in federal court. See Wojtczak, 800 F.2d at 356 n. 3 (finding that delay of three and one-half years in ruling on PCHA petition excused exhaustion even where cause of delay may now have been removed).

32 . We note also that even were we to find the claims concerning 161 unexhausted, relief would not be barred on the 140/141 claims, since they arise from a wholly separate conviction. The "total exhaustion” rule of Rose v. Lundy, 455 U.S. 509, 522, 102 S.Ct. 1198, 1205, 71 L.Ed.2d 379 (1982), applies only to claims arising from a single criminal case. Nor is exhaustion required in any event when a petitioner in essence seeks review of a state's failure to comply with a federal court’s mandate. Tully v. Scheu, 637 F.2d 917, 921 (3d Cir.1980). We hold that this is the case here.

We regard as frivolous Blair County’s assertion that Burkett’s recent filing of a new state habeas petition in its court constitutes his implicit admission “that he has not exhausted his state remedies nor are attempts futile, and as a consequence, the Federal action is moot.” Brief for Appellees at 8.

33 . In view of the age of the cases encompassed by No. 86-3121, we feel obliged to at least consider the merits of the legal issues rather than automatically remand to the district court for that purpose. See infra at 1226.

34 . See also United States v. Tortorello, 391 F.2d 587, 589 (2d Cir.1968) (assuming arguendo that Speedy Trial Clause applies to sentencing); Brady v. Superintendent, Anne Arundel Co. Det. Ctr., 443 F.2d 1307, 1310 (4th Cir.1971) (same); Commonwealth v. Pounds, 490 Pa. 621, 417 A.2d 597, 599 (1980) (same).

35 . The partial dissent suggests that Blair County could not have appealed the order. Post at 1230 n. 5. However, we believe that Blair County had standing to appeal. First, it did not, in contrast to the appellant in Perez v. Ledesma, 401 U.S. 82, 87 n. 3, 91 S.Ct. 674, 678 n. 3, 27 L.Ed.2d 701 (1971), fully prevail as to all appeal-able aspects of the order. The order dismissed Burkett’s petition only conditionally — "unless ... Blair County fails to ... impose any appropriate sentence within sixty (60) days" — and ordered Blair County "to act in accordance with this directive.” Second, the district court would have had no constitutional authority to enter such an order had no violation been at least impending. On the other hand, a court must grant appropriate relief where an existing violation is found. Indeed, having found a violation, there was nothing left to be decided in a new petition other than the remedy. Unfortunately, however, the district court, instead of retaining jurisdiction, marked the case "closed.” (Obviously the district court did not conceive that the county, once warned, would not sentence Burkett within 60 days). Under these circumstances, we read the less-than-pellucid order, together with the court's opinion, as a conditional grant of Burkett’s writ. The "new petition” contemplated by the order must thus have been a petition for enforcement by appropriate remedy, with the fact of violation established if Blair County neither complied nor successfully petitioned for an extension.

As for finality, it may be argued that this Court has already determined that the order was final and appealable by denying without prejudice a certificate of probable cause in Burkett’s appeal instead of dismissing for want of appellate jurisdiction. App. 155.

36 . The magistrate stated:

As the Court recognized in Smith v. Hooey, 393 U.S. 374, 378 [89 S.Ct. 575, 577, 21 L.Ed.2d 607] (1969), where delay occurs, an individual may lose certain advantages such as receiving concurrent sentences and may even receive an enhanced sentence.

While the extent of prejudice cannot be measured with exactitude, it would appear reasonable to conclude that the delay by the Blair County courts has caused some loss to the petitioner.

Supp. App. at 10-11.

Because the district court found prejudice in the earlier proceedings, this case does not present the question of when, if ever, a court could find a post-verdict speedy trial violation without first finding prejudice. We therefore find that Judge Garth’s requirement, with which we do not take issue, that delay alone is insufficient and that a defendant bears the burden of establishing prejudice, see post at 1232, has thus been satisfied. We recognize, with Judge Garth, the significance of conviction in assessing prejudice, and cannot disagree with his conclusion that, post-conviction, there is less fear that an individual is being improperly subjected to incarceration. Post at 1231. However, we stress that the sentencing court or an appellate court may ultimately determine that no incarceration is proper.

37 . We note that the courts in 161 and 284 did not give concurrent credit for time already served.

38 . Judge Garth suggests that an appropriate remedy might be not discharge but "to order release after the prisoner had served his statutory minimum sentence.” Post at 1233. We do not dispute that, as in Brady, such a remedy may on occasion be appropriate. However, in 140/141 Burkett has already served more than his statutory minimum, which would be no time at all. See 18 Pa.Coris.Stat.Ann. §§ 3502, 1103 (burglary punishable by 0 to 20 years); id. §§ 3921, 3925, 3902, 3903, 1103 (theft by unlawful taking and theft by receiving stolen property, merge; punishable by 0 to 7 years); id. § 3502(d) (theft charges merge with burglary for sentencing purposes); id. §§ 2706, 1104 (terroristic threats punishable by 0 to 5 years); id. §§ 6301, 1104 (corruption of minors punishable by 0 to 5 years). Moreover, on the record before us, it appears that Burkett has not been credited in 161 or 284 for his time in jail from April 13, 1982 to June 24, 1985; as for his time in jail from February 7 to 13, 1981, he could not be credited in any case but 140/141. See supra at 1211-1212, 1213 & nn. 12-13.

39 . Because we find that the speedy trial violation warrants discharge, we could decline to reach the merits of the separate due process claim. However, for the reasons explained in the text, there is an independent due process violation and we deem it appropriate, in view of the drastic remedy, to develop that ground as well. We note too that the Supreme Court has only assumed arguendo, rather than so holding formally, that the Speedy Trial clause applies to post-verdict proceedings. See Pollard, 352 U.S. at 361, 77 S.Ct. at 485-86. But cf. cases cited supra at 1220 (lower courts definitively applying Speedy Trial clause). Hence, stating an additional ground for our decision is prudent.

40 . We note additionally that he was imprisoned for more than four years before any sentence was imposed on him, and even that sentence (in 284) has not yet been finally affirmed under the appellate process due Burkett under Pennsylvania law.

41 . MS. COHEN: I have to be very honest with you, Your Honors. You put me in a very tough position.

I think perhaps on the record on 140 and 141, this Court can make a very adequate decision of what to do with that matter, and that decision might appropriately be to discharge and dismiss, after five and a half years.

42 . See supra at 1213-14 & nn. 13-16; see also supra at 1215-16.

43 . Judge Garth believes that the procedure in the district court in May 1985 was so defective that we cannot rely on its findings. Post at 1230 n. 3. If he were correct, we would also have to remand Burkett’s speedy trial claim in 161 as well as 140/141. We, however, believe that the question of the propriety of the district court’s procedure and order was one for direct appeal. See supra at 1223 n. 35.

44 . See supra at 1213-14 & nn. 14-16; see also supra at 1215-16.

45 . We are confident that Blair County will now quickly remove the remaining impediments to Burkett’s appeal — the remand in no way affects the ability of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas to expedite the transmission of the record to Superior Court and otherwise exercise its power to advance Burkett’s appeal. See supra at 1214 & nn. 15-16 and 1216. Such prompt action may well put an end to any possibility of the district court finding prejudice. That determination, however, is for the district court to make in the first instance.

46 . The Federal Public Defender, who is familiar with the case, would appear to be the appropriate choice if he is willing to serve.

47 . We note, however, that Pennsylvania has a unified judicial system, see Pa. Const., Art. V § 2(a); supra at 1214 n. 16. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has used its authority to assign other judges to Blair County, including Burkett's judge in 140/141, but the measures taken so far do not appear to have resolved the problems.

48 . In Schandelmeier we reprinted excerpts from letters written by two federal magistrates to the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. One wrote that cases involving egregious Blair County delays "appear to be the rule rather than the exception to practice in Blair, and present a continuous source of concern.” A second suggested notifying the Honorable Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, "so that hopefully he can arrange for Blair County to get additional help rather than for us to start ordering the release of Blair County prisoners because of speedy trial violations.” Id., at 55. Although we did not grant relief to Schandelmeier, who (unlike Burkett) did not appear to have pressed the issue of delay in the state courts, we sent a copy of our then unpublished opinion to Chief Justice Nix. We do so again with today’s opinion.