Smith v. State

Steele Hays, Justice.

Appellant Robert Junior Smith was convicted of first degree murder for the slaying of sixteen-year-old Evon (“Boo”) Benton. On appeal Smith contends he was denied a speedy trial and the trial court erred on several evidentiary rulings. None of the points warrant reversal.

Appellant first argues the trial court erred by denying his motion to dismiss for a speedy trial violation. Appellant was arrested on April 5,1988, and under A.R.Cr.P. Rule 28.1, should have been tried within twelve months, “excluding only such periods of necessary delay as are authorized in Rule 28.3.”…