Murder Case Continues Despite Speedy Trial Concern

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A judge has ruled that delays in bringing a murder case to trial don't violate the defendant's right to a speedy trial.

Joshua Clark faces a murder conspiracy charge in the May 2013 death of 18-year-old John Swain, who had recently moved from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bismarck, North Dakota.

The Bismarck Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/RYGC6J) Clark sought to have his case dismissed. Judge Bruce Haskell denied the request but moved Clark's trial from August to July.

Authorities allege Clark and Theo Crowe lured Swain into a Bismarck home, hit him with a hammer, cut off his legs and hid his body. Swain's body was found in June 2013 at the home of Crowe's grandmother in Poplar, Montana.

Crowe pleaded guilty in October and is a serving life in prison.