Medina County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Collier said he will rule next week on whether to dismiss felony charges against an accused methamphetamine manufacturer.
The attorney for defendant William Kimble argued Friday his client’s charges should be dismissed because his right to a speedy trial has been violated.
According to Ohio law, individuals charged with felonies must be brought to trial within nine months of their arrests unless they waive their right to a speedy trial.
Each day in jail counts as three days in the speedy trial toll, so a jailed defendant must be brought to trial within three months.
At issue in the case is whether the speedy trial clock for a jailed defendant begins when he’s put in jail or when he’s indicted. In this case, Kimble was jailed while awaiting trial for burglary and then indicted months later on the drug charge.
His attorney, Ronald Annotico, argued the clock began when he was arrested, but county Assistant Prosecutor Scott Salisbury disagreed.
“It’s the state’s position that the time started ticking when he was charged on meth, even though he was in jail on a different charge, which was entirely unrelated,” Salisbury told the judge.
Collier said he would issue a ruling in the middle of next week.
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