Rutherford v. State

ERWIN, Justice.

This case and two other cases before this court1 raise important questions regarding a criminal defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.2 We had occasion recently to deal extensively with the content of that right in Glasgow v. State, 469 P.2d 682 (Alaska 1970), and we are now called upon to clarify and expand upon the principles announced therein.

I.FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The relevant facts in this case are as follows: On April 23, 1969, five days after the death of her husband, appellant herein was arrested, charged with first degree murder, and released on bail.…