Haisman v. State

In Haisman v. State, 242 Ga. 896, 897 (2) (252 SE2d 397) (1979), the defendant showed that a 22-month delay caused the State to lose the hospital records of the victim the defendant was accused of poisoning by arsenic. 242 Ga. at 899 (2). Although these records may well have contained exculpatory information, Haisman concluded there was no prejudice under this speedy trial factor because "the defendant failed to act promptly to obtain the hospital records on her own behalf. Once arrested, appellant should have begun to prepare her defense, rather than waiting for indictment." Id.