Court Opinion

ID: 9532022
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:17:13.311707+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:39.029583
License: Public Domain

JOHN R. McGUIRE, Superior Court Judge
(specially concurring).
I concur in the result as there were grave irregularities. There is the further problem (not briefed) that there is serious doubt whether the indictment sets out a public offense.
Under modern concepts of fairness to the accused, the secrecy of the grand jury room has been more and more invaded. Indictments are dismissed on grounds having absolutely no bearing on the question of guilt or innocence. Policies of this type should be applied with great caution. Justice requires that the guilty be convicted as well as the innocent acquitted. The maxim that it is better many guilty men escape, than one innocent man be convicted has no application to motions not affecting the merits.
A defendant is not entitled to delays in pleading and hence in getting to trial by lengthy proceedings hoping to uncover somewhere a remark by the county attorney, a grand juror, or a witness that can be claimed “prejudicial”.
The state as well as the defendant is entitled to a speedy disposition of criminal cases. I do not believe the majority opinion, logically construed, disregards the principles mentioned above but I set them forth to emphasize my views.
NOTE: Judge JAMES D. HATHAWAY having requested that he be relieved from consideration of this matter, Judge JOHN A. McGUIRE was called to sit in his stead and participate in the determination of this decision.