State v. Larson

The State appeals from a final judgment of the District Court of the First Judicial District, County of Lewis and Clark, dismissing with prejudice the information charging defendant with arson. The dismissal was based on a deprivation of defendant’s constitutional rights to a speedy trial and due process of law.

On September 29, 1978, defendant’s home in Helena, Montana, was destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was suspicious. Therefore, the fire marshall for the City of Helena and the State fire marshall’s office conducted an investigation. They determined that the fire was caused by…