Spencer v. State

OPINION

RABINOWITZ, Chief Justice.

This criminal appeal raises a speedy trial issue under Alaska Rule of Criminal Procedure 45. Maria Spencer pled nolo contendere to a charge of manslaughter. Pursuant to procedures mandated in Oveson v. Municipality of Anchorage, 574 P.2d 801, 803 n.4 (Alaska 1978), her plea was explicitly conditioned on the right to appeal this speedy trial issue. 1 Thus, the question be fore us is whether prosecution of Spencer was barred by Rule 45. 2 This rule provides that an accused must be brought to trial within 120 days from the date of arrest, arraignment, or date the…