WILLIAMS v. STATE OF ARKANSAS (Majority)
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The Supreme Court of Arkansas affirmed the verdict of the Ashley County Circuit Court convicting Robert J. Williams, Jr. of capital murder and aggravated assault and sentencing him to life imprisonment without parole and a term of twenty-eight months’ imprisonment, respectively. Williams appealed on three grounds: the circuit court's granting of the State's motion for continuance; violation of his speedy-trial rights; and the circuit court's denial of his Batson challenge during voir dire.
The Supreme Court found no error in the circuit court's decisions. It held that the State had shown due diligence in procuring unavailable witnesses and that the affidavit filed by the State complied with the requirements set forth by law. It also held that Williams was brought to trial within the twelve-month period required by law, as periods of delay were properly excluded from the calculation. Finally, it held that the circuit court properly allowed the State to strike a juror during voir dire and that its decision to deny the Batson claim was not clearly against the preponderance of the evidence.
The Supreme Court reviewed all objections, motions, and requests made by either party that were decided adversely to Williams, and found no prejudicial error. Therefore, the circuit court's decision was affirmed.
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