Opinion ID: 1837265
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Since we are reversing on the ground that Ford's statutory right to a speedy trial was violated, the facts relevant to Ford's illegal search and seizure claim will not be addressed. Ford and his co-defendant, Ricky Allen, were arrested on January 24, 1989, when law enforcement officials from Holmes County and the City of Tchula found rock cocaine in the car in which Ford and Allen were sitting. They were jointly indicted for possession of cocaine with intent to sell on April 7, 1989. On April 12, 1989, they were both arraigned. On June 13, 1989, Ford filed a motion to suppress the evidence which was seized from the car and this motion was denied on July 10, 1989. Ford filed a motion for dismissal on April 11, 1990, based on Miss. Code Ann. § 99-17-1 (1986) since he had not been tried within 270 days of his arraignment. This motion was denied by Circuit Court Judge Gray Evans. The reasons for the denial do not appear in the record. Ford was tried on April 16, 1990, at which time he again made a motion to dismiss based on the 270-day rule. This motion was denied by Circuit Court Judge Howard Q. Davis, Jr., on the basis that Judge Evans had already ruled, and Ford was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to sell. No motion for a continuance was ever made by either Ford or the State.