Gregory Shegog Missouri Cases

Gregory Shegog was convicted of first-degree assault and armed criminal action following a second jury trial, after a mistrial on those counts. He appealed, contending the circuit court lacked authority to retry him because the second trial occurred beyond the "same or next term of court" as allegedly required by article I, section 19 of the Missouri Constitution. The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, holding that the constitutional provision does not require dismissal of charges if a retrial is delayed by continuances, so long as the initial retrial was scheduled within the prescribed timeframe. The Court also clarified that Article I, Section 19 does not create a substantive right to a speedy trial.

Gregory Shegog appealed his convictions for assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm, following two jury trials. He argued there was insufficient evidence for the firearm charge and that his retrial on the assault and armed criminal action counts violated Article I, Section 19 of the Missouri Constitution because it did not occur within "the same or next term of court." The appellate court would deny both points, finding a judicial admission satisfied the firearm charge's element and that the constitutional provision's language is directory, not mandatory. However, due to the constitutional issue's importance, the court transferred the case to the Supreme Court of Missouri.