Gilbert Vigil and Aaron Lopez were racing down Juan Tabo Boulevard when their vehicles bumped into one another. One of the vehicles swerved across the median and crashed into Koontz's car, killing her immediately. Lopez took a plea soon after the crash and was given a 90-day suspended sentence and community service. The case against Vigil, however, was dismissed because of the lack of a speedy trial, a rule mandated by the U.S. Constitution that guarantees the accused the right to trial within a certain specified period of time. If the rule isn't met, the charges must be dismissed.
Offenders have all their rights.
If a victim's rights are violated, there's no one to sue. There's no recourse if public officials make the wrong call. That's where the balance has been lost. The Albuquerque Tribune. Users of this site are subject to our User Agreement.