ATLANTA (AP) — A lawyer for a man accused in the 2003 slaying of a 12-year-old girl says a judge was correct in dismissing the case because of repeated delays by prosecutors that violated his client's right to a speedy trial.
The Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments in the case Monday after the Chatham County district attorney's office appealed the dismissal.
Bobby Lavon Buckner was charged in the 2007 slaying of Ashleigh Moore, his girlfriend's daughter.
A trial court judge in May dismissed the charges against Buckner, saying prosecutors had violated his right to a speedy trial. The judge cited constant delays and allegations that evidence had been lost.
The state argues the delay was not uncommonly long and contends allegations that evidence was deliberately withheld to harm the defense are baseless.