March 20, 2013
“Unlike their counterparts in every other state, North Carolina prosecutors have control over criminal court calendars.
“In the Little Rascals case, prosecutors used their trial-scheduling authority to let defendants wait for years before proceeding with their cases. They have held the power of the calendar over (Bob) Kelly for a decade without having to account to any other government authority.”
– From “Little Rascals Day Care case still not over” in the Raleigh News & Observer (Jan. 4, 1999)
Almost nine more months would pass before prosecutors dropped the last charges against Bob Kelly.
Despite efforts at reform, district attorneys in North Carolina still maintain near total control over court calendars.