State v. Lecompte

The accused, Emile Lecompte, who was charged by an indictment returned against him on November 17, 1942, with the crime of manslaughter, on May 28, 1946, more than three years later, ruled the state to show cause why the indictment should not be nol. prossed under the provisions of Article 8 of the Code of Criminal Procedure requiring the district attorney to enter a nolle prosequi in such cases, and, upon his failure or neglect to do so, allowing the court, unless during the interim the accused absconded, was a fugitive from justice or escaped trial because of dilatory pleas or other…