Schoharie limo trial deliberations could start as soon as Tuesday
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Schoharie limo trial defense attorney Lee Kindlon remains adamant he didn’t need to call any witnesses in the case. That’s because he believes prosecution witnesses did more good than harm for his client.
In his words: the prosecution “folded their tent and walked off the battlefield.”
More than 100 witnesses were expected to take the stand, but only 24 were sworn in.
If limo company operator Nauman Hussain, 33, is the underdog, it’s because District Attorney Susan Mallery tried to paint him as an irresponsible businessman who thumbs his nose at regulations, wants to make money at any cost and who should have understood the risk of putting 18 people inside a stretch limo with faulty brakes.
Mavis Discount Tire employees testified under oath that they falsified invoices, which lead Hussain to believe the limousine brakes were fixed. They also said they fraudulently placed a New York State Department of Transportation inspection sticker on the windshield, even though they had done none of the safety checks. That is enough to point the blame at Mavis, Kindlon argued.
The prosecution has rested its case as the Schoharie limo trial enters its second week of testimony.
Kindlon argued for a dismissal, which Judge Peter Lynch denied.
The jury will ultimately decide whether there’s enough evidence to absolve Hussain of criminal culpability, and whether he lived up to his responsibility as a conscience businessman.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday morning, with deliberations to follow.