USA v. Jackson

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	)
)
Plaintiff, 	)
v. 	) 	No. 3:25-CR-85-TAV-JEM
)
RICHARD T. JACKSON, 	)
)
Defendant. 	)
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 Richard T. Jackson’s Motion to Continue Trial Date and Related Deadlines [Doc. 15],
filed on October 17, 2025.
Defendant requests the Court to continue the plea deadline, set for October 17, 2025, and
the trial date, set for November 4, 2025 [Id.]. In support of the motion, Defendant states that despite
reasonable diligence on part of his counsel, this case is not yet ready for hearing [Id. ¶ 1].
Defendant’s counsel is investigating legal issues in the case and needs more time to conduct
necessary legal research [Id.]. Defendant’s counsel has received discovery but requires more time
to review it with Defendant [Id.]. Additionally, Defendant is remotely detained in Laurel County,
Kentucky [Id.]. Defendant’s motion reflects that counsel for the Government does not oppose the
requested continuance [Id. ¶ 4]. Defendant understands that the period between the filing of the
motion for continuance and a rescheduled trial date shall be fully excludable for speedy trial
purposes [Id. ¶ 3].
Based upon the information in Defendant’s motion and because the Government does not
oppose the continuance, the Court finds the ends of justice served by granting a continuance
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outweigh the interests of Defendant 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 failing to grant a continuance would both
result in a miscarriage of justice and deny counsel for Defendant the reasonable time necessary for
effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence. See id. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(i),
(iv). Defendant’s counsel needs more time to review discovery, conduct legal research, consult
with Defendant, and otherwise prepare for trial. The Court finds that all of this cannot occur before
the November 4, 2025 trial date.
The Court therefore GRANTS Richard T. Jackson’s Motion to Continue Trial Date and
Related Deadlines [Doc. 15]. The trial of this case is reset to January 27, 2026. A new,
comprehensive trial schedule is included below. Because the Court finds that the ends of justice
are served by granting a continuance outweigh the interests of Defendant and the public in a speedy
trial, all time between the filing of the motion on October 17, 2025, and the new trial date is fully
excludable time under the Speedy Trial Act. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(1)(D), (h)(1)(H), &
(h)(7)(A)–(B).
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows:
(1) 	Defendant Richard T. Jackson’s Motion to Continue Trial Date and
Related Deadlines [Doc. 15] is GRANTED;
(2) 	the trial of this matter is reset to commence on January 27, 2026,
at 	9:00 	a.m., 	before 	the 	Honorable 	Thomas 	A. 	Varlan,
United States District Judge;
(3) 	all time between the filing of the motion on October 17, 2025, and
the new trial date of January 27, 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 December 29, 2026;
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(5) 	the deadline for filing motions in limine is January 12, 2026, and
responses to motions in limine are due on or before January 20,
2026;
(6) 	the parties are to appear before the undersigned for a final pretrial
conference on January 8, 2026, at 1:00 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
January 16, 2026.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ENTER:
_____________________________
Jill E. McCook
United States Magistrate Judge
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