And is there a reason for this glacially slow behaviour?
It is in his interest to keep this going with no resolution. He gets to keep labeling people as criminals by his reckoning. It's a show - nothing else.
It's also because the case will be thrown out and the longer this gets drawn out, the more understanding his patrons and financial supporters will be. However, a dismissal and possible counter-suit that gains traction undermines his narrative that he's being persecuted. It would actually shine a light on the fact that he is the one being abusive and attempting to destroy their lives with his excessive financial demands and criminal punishment.