(WNY News Now) – In a recent ruling, the New York State Appellate Division has denied Hadi Matar’s motion to relocate his trial, deciding that the case will remain in Chautauqua County.
Chautauqua County, N.Y. – The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, has rejected a motion from Hadi Matar to transfer his trial out of Chautauqua County. Matar, who is facing charges under Indictment No. 70563-22, sought the venue change on the grounds that an impartial trial may be difficult to obtain due to local bias.
The court, however, found that Matar’s argument did not meet the legal threshold necessary to warrant such a move. According to the decision, Matar failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate “reasonable cause” that a fair trial could not take place in Chautauqua County, as required by Section 230.20(2) of the Criminal Procedure Law (CPL). The court noted that while concerns over jury impartiality are valid, the current stage of the trial process, specifically jury selection, had not yet shown any inability to secure an unbiased jury.
The ruling leaves open the possibility that Matar’s defense could renew the request during the voir dire process if indications arise that impartiality is indeed compromised. Referencing a prior case, People v Mateo (239 AD2d 965), the court concluded that the request for a venue change was premature. His trial will now proceed in Chautauqua County as scheduled.
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