USA v. Randall, et al.,

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	)
)
Plaintiff, 	)
v. 	) 	No. 3:23-CR-127-KAC-DCP
)
LLOYD D. RANDALL and 	)
MARK A. WILLIAMS, 	)
)
Defendants. 	)
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
All pretrial motions in this case have been referred to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b) for disposition or recommendation as appropriate. 	This case is before the Court on
Defendant Lloyd D. Randall’s Motion to Continue Trial and All Related Deadlines [Doc. 102],
filed on January 5, 2026.
Defendant Randall asks the Court to continue the January 27, 2026 trial date and all related
deadlines [Id. at 1]. In support of his motion, he states that the Court recently approved funding
for an investigator, who needs time to conduct the investigation [Id.]. Once the investigation is
complete, defense counsel needs time to evaluate the results and prepare the case for trial [Id.].
The motion relates that Defendant Randall understands his right to a speedy trial and that the time
between the filing of this motion and a new trial date will be excluded for speedy trial purposes
[Id. at 2]. Defendant Randall “reluctantly” asks that this motion be granted “despite the effect a
continuance will have regarding his right to a speedy trial” [Id.]. The motion also states that the
Government does not object to the requested continuance [Id.].
Defendant Mark Williams filed a response stating he has no objection to a trial continuance
and extension of the plea deadline [Doc. 103 p. 1]. Defendant Williams states that defense counsel
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has explained his right to a speedy trial and acknowledges his understanding that all time between
the filing of the motion to continue and the new trial date is excludable for speedy trial purposes
[Id.].
Based upon the parties’ positions and because the Government does not oppose the
continuance, the Court finds the ends of justice served by granting a continuance outweigh the
interests of Defendants and the public in a speedy trial. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A). In making
this determination, the Court has considered the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B).
Specifically, the Court concludes that not granting a continuance would both result in a miscarriage
of justice and deny counsel for Defendant Randall the reasonable time necessary for effective
preparation, accounting for the exercise of due diligence. See id. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i)–(iv). Counsel
for Defendant Randall needs additional time to use the services of his investigator, to review the
results of the investigation, and to otherwise prepare for trial. The Court finds that all of this cannot
occur before the January 27, 2026 trial date.
The Court therefore GRANTS Defendant Lloyd D. Randall’s Motion to Continue Trial
and All Related Deadlines [Doc. 102]. The trial of this case is reset to June 9, 2026. A new
schedule is included below. Because the Court has found that the ends of justice served by granting
a continuance outweigh the interests of Defendants and the public in a speedy trial, all time
between the filing of the motion on January 5, 2026, and the new trial date is fully excludable time
under the Speedy Trial Act. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(1)(D), (h)(7)(A)–(B).
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows:
(1) 	Defendant Lloyd D. Randall’s unopposed Motion to Continue Trial
and All Related Deadlines [Doc. 102] is GRANTED;
(2) 	the trial of this matter is reset to commence on June 9, 2026, at 9:00
a.m., before the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, United States
District Judge;
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(3) 	all time between the filing of the motion on January 5, 2026, and
the new trial date of June 9, 2026, is fully excludable time under the
Speedy Trial Act for the reasons set forth herein;
(4) 	the deadline for filing a plea agreement in the record and providing
reciprocal discovery is May 7, 2026;
(5) 	the deadline for filing motions in limine is May 22, 2026, and
responses to motions in limine or due on or before June 2, 2026;
(6) 	the parties are to appear before the undersigned for a final pretrial
conference on May 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; and
(7) 	requests for special jury instructions with appropriate citations to
authority pursuant to Local Rule 7.4 shall be filed on or before
May 29, 2026.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:
___________________________
Debra C. Poplin
United States Magistrate Judge
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