The defense said nothing about pushing ahead of anyone. The judge said something about that.
Durham county can not say our cops are too busy to give Miranda warnings and besides we do not Marandize anyone else. Similarly Durham County can not say, speedy trial, we don't give anyone no stinkin speedy trial.
That Durham routinely denies accused speedy trials does not trump the right of any particular person to a speedy trial. That other defendents routinely waive their speedy trial rights does not mean these guys lose their right to a speedy trial.
So the judge can say any hauty thing he wants about not pushing this trial ahead of others. These guys still have a right to a speedy trial.
Among other tombstones in the cemetary of Justice, here lies the "right to a speedy trial" and "innocent until proven guilty". Let us mourn.