Sixteen times Willie Barker’s murder case was set for trial, and sixteen times it was continued. At first the defense readily agreed, gambling that Barker’s codefendant would be found not guilty. Thus, some of the continuances were caused by the six separate trials before the codefendant was finally convicted. Other continuances were granted because of the illness of the police investigator. It was not until five years after arrest that Barker was convicted of murder.
-The right to a speedy trial

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The right to a speedy trial is considered a relative right, meaning it can be influenced by various factors and circumstances, such as the complexity of the case, the reasons for the delay, and whether the defense consents to or even causes the delay. In this scenario, the defense's agreement to continuances and the complexity of the case due to multiple trials and illness of a key investigator suggest that the right to a speedy trial is not absolute and can be subject to exceptions.

Sixteen Times Willie Barker’s Murder Case Was Set for Trial