Latson v. State of Delaware

Southerland, C. J.:

The basic question in this case is whether the defendant was denied a speedy trial. He was arrested on January 15, 1957 for the crime of assault with intent to commit rape. He was committeed to jail in default of bail. After the disposition of a series of motions and petitions he was finally brought to trial on April 9, 1958 and convicted. This extraordinary delay of about fifteen months came about in the following manner.

After his arrest in January the defendant was indicted on March 5, 1957 at the next term of court and pleaded not guilty. The court appointed counsel for…