State v. Silva

The defendant (Silva) was found guilty on two counts of armed robbery in violation of G.L. 1956 (1969 Reenactment) §11-39-1. Silva raises various questions on appeal, but we are concerned with only one: Did the trial justice erroneously exclude all alibi testimony of the defendant at trial? The issue must be resolved in light of the provisions of Super. R. Crim. P. 16, and our review of the facts will be accordingly limited.

Silva was indicted on April 14, 1975. On May 23, 1975, Silva filed a sweeping motion for discovery with the Attorney General pursuant to Rule 16(a). Thereafter, on June 3,…