Post by Logan on Jun 8, 2016 23:59:29 GMT -6
Lawyers in civil suit over building collapse seek to move trial out of Philly
Lawyers for real estate speculator Richard Basciano have asked to move the Sept. 6 civil trial in the deadly Center City building collapse outside Southeastern Pennsylvania, saying local media coverage "has been so extensive, sustained, inflammatory, and inculpatory" that Basciano could not get a fair trial.
The 93-page petition to change the venue of the trial was filed Monday with Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein by veteran Philadelphia lawyer Richard A. Sprague. Sprague's firm represents Basciano and several of his corporate entities, property manager Thomas Simmonds, and Frank Cresci, Basciano's ex-chief financial officer.
Bernstein, 68, a judge for 29 years, is handling pretrial proceedings in the case consolidating lawsuits on behalf of six killed and 13 injured on June 5, 2013, when an unsupported three- to four-story wall at a Basciano demolition site toppled and crushed a Salvation Army thrift store at 22nd and Market Streets.
Bernstein has not set a hearing. Should he agree that the trial needs to move from Philadelphia, the state Supreme Court would decide where.
Read more at www.philly.com/philly/news/20160609_Lawyers_in_civil_suit_over_Center_City_building_collapse_seek_to_move_trial_out_of_Philly.html
Lawyers for real estate speculator Richard Basciano have asked to move the Sept. 6 civil trial in the deadly Center City building collapse outside Southeastern Pennsylvania, saying local media coverage "has been so extensive, sustained, inflammatory, and inculpatory" that Basciano could not get a fair trial.
The 93-page petition to change the venue of the trial was filed Monday with Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein by veteran Philadelphia lawyer Richard A. Sprague. Sprague's firm represents Basciano and several of his corporate entities, property manager Thomas Simmonds, and Frank Cresci, Basciano's ex-chief financial officer.
Bernstein, 68, a judge for 29 years, is handling pretrial proceedings in the case consolidating lawsuits on behalf of six killed and 13 injured on June 5, 2013, when an unsupported three- to four-story wall at a Basciano demolition site toppled and crushed a Salvation Army thrift store at 22nd and Market Streets.
Bernstein has not set a hearing. Should he agree that the trial needs to move from Philadelphia, the state Supreme Court would decide where.
Read more at www.philly.com/philly/news/20160609_Lawyers_in_civil_suit_over_Center_City_building_collapse_seek_to_move_trial_out_of_Philly.html