N.Y. Crane Owner Criminal Trial Set

摘要

Criminal prosecution of the owner of a tower crane whose collapse led to the deaths of two New York City construction workers in a 2008 accident will proceed next month. On Sept. 19, a state Supreme Court judge rejected a motion to dismiss negligent homicide charges against James F. Lomma, his former head mechanic and two firms the owner controlled. Paul Schechtman, attorney for Lomma, says he has made "no final decision" on whether to request a judge or jury trial, but sources close to the case say a jury trial is more likely. Judge J. Thomas Farber ruled against the defendants' motion to dismiss the case or drop criminal charges. They had claimed prosecutors presented "skewed" facts to the grand jury.