Ashleigh Moore disappeared in April of 2003, was found dead 3 weeks later
Ashleigh Moore was 13 years old when she was killed
A high profile murder case will not be headed to the nation's highest court, and that means an alleged murderer could soon be a free man.
Bobby Buckner was charged with the murder of 13-year old Ashleigh Moore.
She disappeared from her home in April of 2003. her body was found three weeks later.
Earlier this month, the Georgia Supreme Court agreed with a lower court who dropped the indictment against Buckner, ruling 53 months without a trial was unreasonable.
News 3 has learned Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens has decided not to send Buckner's case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The delays happened under the watch of former Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisolm.
Current D.A. Meg Heap, who petitioned the Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens to look at the case again, calls the situation frustrating.
"You have a 12 year old girl who's been raped and murdered. It really should have been handled with the utmost care. That's my frustration," explained Heap. "If I have a case like that, or any case. my prosecutors know you've got to handle it professionally. Just do your job. At the end of the day that's what they should be doing."
Breaking down the extensive timeline connected to this case.
Ashleigh Moore disappeared April 18, 2003. Her body was found three weeks later.
April 2004 - Buckner is arrested on a probation violation.
November 2004 - Buckner was indicted on 21 counts back in 2004.
September 2006 - Buckner pleaded guilty to molesting three young girls.
February 2008 - A judge sets Buckner's trial for May of 2008. that date came and went with no trial.
August 2011 - Lawyers decided not to seek the death penalty.
May of 2012 - In a 36 page ruling, Chatham County Judge Penny Haas-Freesemann dismissed the murder indictment against Buckner, saying his sixth amendment right to a speedy trial had been violated.
February 4, 2013 - That ruling was upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court.
Buckner is still in jail on probation violation and other charges.
He is eligible to petition for release in March of 2016.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:30:09 GMT
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Ashleigh Moore disappeared in April of 2003, was found dead 3 weeks later
Ashleigh Moore was 13 years old when she was killed
