Duncan v. State

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

The appellant was found guilty of committing a horrible first degree murder in Ravenden Springs. In this appeal he argues that the conviction must be reversed and dismissed for want of a speedy trial. Unfortunately, the argument is meritorious.

A.R.Cr.P. Rules 28.1(c) and 28.2(a), in the part applicable to this case, provide that a defendant who is charged with a crime and is out on bail “shall be entitled to have the charge dismissed with an absolute bar to prosecution if not brought to trial within eighteen (18) months” from the date the charge was filed. In this…