United States v. MacDonald
United States Supreme Court
456 U.S. 1 (1982)
- Written by Salina Kennedy, JD
Facts
On February 17, 1970, the pregnant wife and two young daughters of Jeffrey MacDonald (defendant), a military physician, were stabbed to death at the family’s home on the Fort Bragg, North Carolina military installation. The army charged MacDonald with the murders but dismissed the charges six months later. MacDonald was then granted an honorable discharge based on hardship. The Justice Department requested that the army continue its investigation, and investigators forwarded reports to the Justice Department in June 1972, November 1972, and August 1973. In January 1975, a grand jury indicted MacDonald for the murders. Prior to trial, MacDonald moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial had been violated. MacDonald’s motion was denied, and he filed an interlocutory appeal. The court of appeals reversed, finding that MacDonald had been denied the right to a speedy trial. The United States Supreme Court reversed, holding that a criminal defendant must wait until after his trial is completed to appeal the denial of a speedy-trial motion. MacDonald was tried and convicted. On appeal, the court of appeals again held that MacDonald’s right to a speedy trial had been violated and dismissed the indictment. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Burger, C.J.)
Dissent (Marshall, J.)
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