Opinion ID: 2330804
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: State v. Turner

Text: Charles Franklin Turner was charged in the Circuit Court for Harford County with violating the controlled dangerous substance laws. On October 14, 1980, Turner was arraigned; consequently the 180-day period for trying the case expired on April 12, 1981. Following an earlier postponement, trial was scheduled for March 23, 1981. On the morning of March 23rd, Administrative Judge Close postponed the trial because of the unavailability of Judge or Jury to hear [the] case. The record indicates that Judge Close was due in Annapolis that morning and that there was no other judge to proceed before. The next scheduled trial date, May 21, 1981, was also postponed because all of the Harford County circuit court judges were attending a sentencing conference. Trial finally began on August 3, 1981. Following a denial of Turner's motion to dismiss based upon an asserted violation of § 591 and Rule 746, Turner was convicted by a jury of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia. He was sentenced to concurrent fifteen and four year terms of imprisonment. Turner appealed, raising three distinct questions. The Court of Special Appeals decided Turner's appeal in the same opinion as Carter's, 54 Md. App. 220, 458 A.2d 480, and reversed on the ground that the charges should have been dismissed under § 591 and Rule 746. The appellate court explained ( id. at 232 [458 A.2d 480]): The reason given for the March 23rd postponement is that Judge Close, who was scheduled to try the case, had to be in Annapolis and there was no judge or jury available. Assuming that constituted good cause for not trying the case that day, once again there is no evidence in the record of any attempt to comply with the 180 day requirement. In light of its ruling on the § 591 and Rule 746 issue, the Court of Special Appeals did not reach the other issues raised by Turner.