We're glad to see that Minnesota officials will continue to pursue Juan Humbarto Castillo-Alvarez, one of 10 defendants in the the 1997 murder of Estherville teen Gregory Sky Erickson.

After Castillo-Alvarez received a 50-year sentence in April 2008, he appealed the conviction on the grounds that he didn't receive a speedy trial. The Iowa Court of Appeals overturned convictions of murder and kidnapping, both in the second degree, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony following the kidnapping and death of Erickson.

Of course the reason Castillo-Alvarez didn't receive a speedy challenge was because he fled to Mexico.

We agree with appeals court judge Gayle Nelson Vogel who stated in her dissenting opinion that "the district court aptly concluded that the delay was attributable to Castillo because he fled the United States in order to avoid prosecution. Further, even if the delay was not attributed to Castillo, good cause supported the delay because the State 'pursued [Castillo] with reasonable diligence.'"

It's sad the Iowa Supreme Court didn't feel it was necessary to review the appeals court decision.

Since the crime occurred in two states, the Minnesota legal system will now have its opportunity to make sure justice is done.