Details are not completely confirmed, but it appears that Judge Lawliss set December 6, 2004 as the date for David Wong's retrial to begin. In court on October 21, Judge Lawliss gave District Attorney Richard Cantwell an opportunity to drop the murder charge. DA Cantwell did not do so.
The judge went ahead and set a date for jury selection in the retrial to begin. According to newspaper reports, David Wong's attorneys will file a motion to dismiss the charges. The DA still has an opportunity to join the request to drop the murder charges. His position is unclear at this point.
On October 21, 2004 the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department, issued a unanimous decision reversing Mr. Wong’s murder conviction. Despite the outcry to drop the murder charge against David Wong by organizations such as the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) – National, as well as local supporters in Plattsburgh, DA Cantwell refused to dismiss the indictment. The evidence has overwhelmingly supported David’s innocence. With the scheduling of the new trial, the David Wong Support Committee questions whether a fair trial can be held in Plattsburgh.
MEDIA REPORTS
Latest news stories: The Plattsburgh Press-Republican in upstate NY wrote a November 6 article along with a November 4 editorial. Also, a November 3 article in the New York Times. November 2, 2004 article in The New York Times and the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.
Pictures
It is unclear whether any pictures will be available. If so, we will post them here.
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