The man who killed eight people and injured more on a Lower Manhattan bicycle path in the October 31 terrorist attack refused to stand for the judge in court today, writes Elizabeth Rosner in the NY Daily News. ISIS supporter Sayfullo Saipov also nodded his head throughout the proceedings.
Both sides are to submit briefs by March 30, 2018 to determine a trial date. Prosecutors hope for a trial in April of next year; defense attorneys asked for more time.
Nine of the charges against the alleged terrorist carry a sentence of life in prison or execution. A decision will be made by September 1, 2018 on whether or not the death penalty will be sought. If so, last week the defense team said that they would make a guilty plea in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
