State v. Powers

OPINION

LEDERBERG, Justice.

James J. Powers (defendant) was found guilty by a jury in Superior Court of possession of a firearm in violation of G.L.1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-47-5. The defendant appealed the conviction, claiming inter alia that his state and federal constitutional rights to a speedy trial had been violated. For the reasons set forth herein, we sustain the appeal and vacate the judgment of conviction of the charge that was brought to trial almost eleven years after the defendant’s indictment.

I

BACKGROUND

On September 3, 1981, defendant was in-dieted on several counts relating to…