North Dakota Court To Possibly Make Decision On DUI Case 20 Years Later
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court is deciding whether a 20-year delay for the trial of a man accused of driving drunk violated his right to a speedy trial.
William Gale was found guilty by a Grand Forks jury in July on a 1995 DUI charge. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Grand Forks city prosecutor Kristi Pettit Venhuizen argued to justices earlier this month that Gale made a concerted effort to avoid prosecution and there was ample evidence to pursue the case.
Defense attorney Scott Brand says Gale moved to Colorado shortly after the DUI arrest and believed that his previous lawyer was going to handle court proceedings.
Brand says the government was negligent in failing to locate Gale and then deciding to prosecute him 20 years later.
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