People v. Woods

Summary

The court held that the prosecution violated defendant's constitutional speedy-trial right by delaying more than three years before a fourth trial after three prior mistrials, and it directed dismissal of the murder and weapon-possession charges. The prosecution's generalized explanations did not justify the delay, and the record showed substantial inaction and prejudice from the death of a key eyewitness. The court nevertheless upheld defendant's drug-related convictions because the trial court's failure to provide notice of two jury notes was rendered harmless when the jury later requested the same testimony and counsel participated in the readback.