17 months in jail without a trial yet?

[us 378]

What happened to a right to a speedy trial?

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/519440.html

Andrea Person, a former Northeast Richland day care operator charged with killing three children in her care, might be free from jail soon after awaiting trial for 17 months there.
She said little Tuesday as bail was set at $75,000 — more than her lawyers wanted but less than prosecutors suggested.
Some of a dozen relatives, friends and neighbors gave each other thumbs-up signs after Circuit Judge Alison Lee made the decision.


(rest of story at link above)

[JDidGirl]

We don't know the whole story. The defense attorney could keep asking for an extension in order to help build their defense case... it could be a number of things. Still I think $75,000 is a little low for bail considering what this woman is being charged with.

[us 378]

I agree JDidGirl that we probably don't know the entire story. But to me, it doesn't matter, 17 months is totally insane regardless if it is the defense (public defender so I doubt that) or the prosecution (if it takes that much time for them to bring a case, it can't be that strong of a case).

Just my hunch that the case is weak for the prosecution for a murder conviction....

[JDidGirl]

Very true 378. Its times like this that make me shake my head as to why "the powers that be" didn't just wait & build a better case before making an arrest? Of course that is if it isn't the defense that keeps stalling. I didn't think there was a statute of limitations on murder so I would think that they would want to make sure their case was air-tight before even making an arrest.

[BTDT]

Just look at the following case. This case is higher profile at a well known school.

Judge To Make Decision In Inman Case

Murderer Faces Life In Prison, Or Death

http://www.wyff4.com/news/17437854/detail.html

[us 378]

The only reason the Inman case was such high profile is that a young blonde girl got murdered. If the victim had been a black male, almost no one would have heard of this case. And you know that's true.....

[swampfox]

Which is the exact same reason why Barack Obama is catching so much flak about his airplane's paint job. None of the same people are complaining that McCain's plane never did have a flag.

[watchdogforjustice]

Lexington County has the record for violating a person's right to a speedy trial, a man was kept in Lexington County jail and not charged by Sheriff Metts for ten years.

[swampfox]

He must have had one heck of a lousy lawyer.

[watchdogforjustice]

He had a public defender, and yes it when to the SC Supreme Court. The court said it was not violating his right to a speedy trial, figure that.