SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Jury selection for the trial of Nauman Hussain began May 1, 2023. This trial could take 4 to 6 weeks, according to Judge Peter Lynch. But before it can get to that point in the case, lawyers from both the prosecution and defense have to interview and process a pool of 1,500 potential jurors.
The morning was mostly procedural; the judge spent the first half of the day walking potential jurors through the rules and the indictment. Hussain is charged with 20 counts of criminally negligent homicide for his alleged role in the Schoharie limo crash that killed 20 people back in 2018.
However, he cannot be found guilty of both. If he’s acquitted of manslaughter, the jury will then consider the criminally negligent homicide charge.
Judge Peter Lynch told the court there would be 12 jurors and 4 alternates for this case, and there’s no clear indication when the trial will begin. Greg Rinckey, Esq. says that picking a jury years later will remain a challenge.
“Because this case has been all over the news. Schoharie County is a small county. Because they knew about the case or they had a predetermined outcome,” he said. “So the process will continue until they seat 12 jurors.”
The judge is estimating that the entire trial, once it does begin, could take 4-6 weeks. News10 also learned that Schoharie County District Attorney, Susan Mallery, has at least 20 witnesses for this trial.
