New York

Accused Tribeca Bike Path Attacker Could Face Lengthy Trial

A man charged with using a rental truck to kill eight people on a New York City bike path would face a lengthy trial next year if the government seeks the death penalty.

At a pretrial hearing on Tuesday, lawyers for Sayfullo Saipov told a federal judge that jury selection alone could take a month or more. Both sides said testimony would take at least six weeks.

Prosecutors want any trial to begin April 2019, while the defense says it needs until September to prepare. The judge put off a decision to set a date.

Last week, the defense said Saipov would plead guilty to terrorism if he was spared the death penalty. Prosecutors said it was too soon to make a decision about whether to seek death.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us