It's been nearly four years since a Cobb County cab driver was shot in the arm, causing permanent damage and forcing him to find another livelihood. And it's been nearly fours years since a suspect was arrested.
So far, there's been no trial. That could change in a few days. Or, suspect Karan Butler could be a free woman.
For now, the state Court of Appeals has the case, meaning there's nothing anyone involved can do but wait. But it's already been long enough, Butler's attorney and family said Tuesday afternoon at a hearing in Cobb County Superior Court. They contend Butler had a right to a speedy trial.
"She's been in custody nonstop for over 1,300 days," attorney Sparticus Heyward, Butler's attorney said. "She hasn't had a bond this entire time. At all times, my client has maintained her innocence."
Butler is the only suspect in the May 2007 shooting of Ismal Paguada during an attempted robbery. She was indicted for the crimes that fall.
Heyward is the latest in a string of attorneys Butler has hired to handle her case, which has contributed to the delay in it coming to trial, Cobb County District Attorney Pat Head told the AJC.
The day before a trial was supposed to start, Heyward filed a motion to dismiss the case -- which was denied -- and then an appeal, Head said. The appeals court said the case should be dismissed, but the district attorney's office plans to appeal that.
"We think that 12 people ought to make the decision," Head said.
Before any decision can be made, the state of appeals will have to return the case to Cobb County Superior Court, Head said.
Still, Butler's family contends she has been treated unfairly and has not gotten needed medical attention while jailed. Butler was initially denied treatment for open wounds that were infected, her mother, Lutricia Butler, told the AJC.
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