United States v. Michael E. Jones

The appellant had been at liberty on personal recognizance since August 20, 1969 when on March 19, 1971, he filed a motion to dismiss the indictment for lack of a speedy trial. The motion was denied and a jury trial went forward at once. The jury returned guilty verdicts on five counts charging assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and associated offenses. It is now urged that the conviction was invalid because of an inordinate delay which had given rise to a prima facie presumption of prejudice.

Just as the appellant’s guilt was overwhelmingly established, so was evidence of…