State of Iowa v. Shawn Michael Elder Jr.

MILLER, S.J.

Shawn Michael Elder Jr. appeals his conviction for manufacture of more than five grams of methamphetamine. He contends the trial court erred in granting the State’s motion to continue trial beyond one year after arraignment and denying his related motion to dismiss. We reverse Elder’s conviction and remand for dismissal of the charge.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

Resolution of the issue before us requires a detailed recitation of the procedural history of this case. Proceedings were initiated when the State charged Elder with various drug-related crimes on October 16, 2012.…