Murder suspect waits more than 7 years for trial

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Palm Beach County murder suspect has spent seven years in jail — and that’s just waiting for his trial to start.

Twenty-seven-year-old D’Andre Bannister is accused of fatally beating his 4-year-old stepson in 2002. He waived his right to a speedy trial, like many defendants, but never thought it would take this long.

State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, who took over the office a year ago, called the long wait unacceptable. He blamed defense attorneys for submitting several requests to delay, and judges for approving them.

Bannister’s lead defense attorney, Evelyn Ziegler, says it hasn’t been in his best interest to push for a trial date.

His stay at the county jail has cost more than $335,000.

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