ORDER

CHERYL R. ZWART, Magistrate Judge.

Defendant moves for a one-week trial continuance, explaining new counsel will be assisting in his trial representation. (Filing No. 49).

This case was filed on March 20, 2018, and Defendant was arraigned on April 10, 2018. Defendant initially retained Michael J. Leonard and George G. Braunstein to represent him. But after Leonard and Braunstein were afforded over seven months to review the "unusual and complex" discovery in this case, and the government had extended a proposed plea agreement, Defendant wanted to fire his lawyers and retain new counsel, primarily claiming Leonard was not sufficiently "computer literate" to review the government's Rule 16 disclosures. (Filing No. 36, audio file).

At the hearing on the motion for change of counsel, the court admonished the defendant that this court does not allow unnecessary delays in the trial of criminal cases; that not only the defendant, but the public, has a right to a speedy trial. After confirming that Defendant's newly selected counsel, Adam Brown, believed he was capable of taking the case and immediately beginning to work on it, the court allowed Mr. Brown to enter his appearance pro hac vice as Defendant's counsel. Leonard and Braunstein were granted leave to withdraw. A telephonic hearing was scheduled for January 9, 2019 to discuss the status of case preparation, the goal being to set a pretrial motion deadline and trial date after Brown had time to review the discovery. (Filing Nos. 36 and 37).

At the request of defense counsel, the January 2019 conference call was continued 60 days to afford defense counsel additional time to review the evidence. (Filing Nos. 39 and 40). At a status conference held on March 7, 2019, the court set an August 5, 2019 trial date. (Filing No. 41). Citing personal and business reasons, on June 6, 2019, defense counsel moved to continue the trial for three to four months. The government objected. A hearing was held. The court reiterated its concern with further trial delays and the impact on victims. The trial was continued 30 days, to September 16, 2019. (Filing Nos. 46 and 47).

Defense counsel now moves to continue the trial by a week "to bring Edward Robinson in as trial counsel." (Filing No. 49, at CM/ECF p. 2). The government does not object. But the court has reservations with granting yet another continuance. Prior to filing the pending motion, defense counsel never mentioned needing assistance from an attorney with federal trial experience. More importantly, at some point, this case—and Defendant's requests for a continuance—must end. However, notwithstanding the reluctance to move this case again, the court will grant one last continuance.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED:

1) Trial of this case is set to commence before the Honorable John M. Gerrard, Chief United States District Judge, in Courtroom 1, United States Courthouse, Lincoln, Nebraska, at 9:00 a.m. on September 23, 2019, for a duration of five (5) trial days. Jury selection will be held at commencement of trial.

2) No further requests for a trial continuance will be granted absent a very substantial showing of good cause.