BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County District Attorney announced on Friday that Erie County Court and State Supreme Court jury trials will reopen in-person starting next week.
The DA says that only one criminal case will be presented every week to reduce the number of people in the building. The jury trials will be prioritized using the defendant's date of arrest and the expected length of the trial.
The DA says that this means the older cases, which are expected to last a week or less, will go first. Bench trials resumed this week.
The first jury selection will happen on Monday for the case of the People v. Najeeb Shabazz Jackson.
Jackson allegedly intentionally drove a vehicle into the front of Bottom's Up on Chippewa on August 4, 2019, and injured two people. It is alleged that he intended to hurt or injure people inside.
The 26-year-old is under indictment on charges of attempted murder in the second degree, a class B violent felony (two counts), and attempted assault in the first degree, a class C violent felony (two counts).
Additional cases that have been scheduled include:
- March 31: The People v. Mark Dublino
- April 6: The People v. Taiwan Lowmack
- April 12: The People v. Quentin Suttles
- April 19: The People v. Denzel Adside
- April 26: The People v. David Gray, Jr.
- May 3: The People v. Hommys Rivera-Lopez
- May 13: The People v. Edward Harris
- August 9: The People v. Shane Casado
Masks, temperature checks, and verbal screenings will be required for those entering the Erie County Court Building. Hand sanitizer is available in the building and disposable gloves will be available if requested.
The DA says those who have traveled outside of New York State won't be able to enter the building until they finish a self-quarantine of 10 days. Reduced seating will be in effect in every courtroom.