According to this interesting article, a federal judge has recently set the sentencing date for four plant managers convicted of environmental and safety crimes on April 26, 2006. The sentencings are now set for April 24, 2009 — nearly three years later.
It is not clear what has caused the delay. Federal prosecutors filed a motion in December to speed things up. They argued that the sentencing delay affected public perception of justice. They also cited the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, which promises crime victims that they have a right to a trial “free from unreasonable delay.” The case involves a forklift accident at a foundry that killed a plant worker.
It’s hard for me to imagine what could reasonably cause a three-year delay in sentencing.
Update: Here is a copy of the Government’s “Motion to Set a Sentencing Date Pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.” The Government’s claim:
More than two and one-half years have now elapsed since the jury in this case
convicted these Defendants of multiple, serious crimes. Several of those offenses related
to Defendants