Edited by: TJVNews.com
As violent crime continues to skyrocket in New York City, it was recently reported that accused subway shooter Frank James wants his upcoming terrorism trial moved to Illinois because he claims he won’t be able to get an impartial jury in Brooklyn, according to a recent court filing, as was reported by the NY Post.
In April of this year, James, 62, allegedly opened fire on a crowded rush-hour N train in Brooklyn on its way to Manhattan. The shooting victims ranged in age from 16 to 60; all survived. The Post reported that he also allegedly detonated smoke grenades as the train passed through a tunnel underneath Sunset Park and then fired 33 shots, striking 10 people and injuring a total of 29. A 30 hour manhunt ensued and James was finally located in lower Manhattan. Authorities say he drove from Philadelphia to commit this crime.
Authorities said James’s bank card, cellphone and a key to a van he had rented were found at the shooting scene, according to an AP report. Police also said they found the 9mm Glock semiautomatic handgun used in the shooting and traced it to James.
Lawyers representing James argued his name has been “saturated” in the media by newspapers and elected officials since the crime was committed and continues to be used in political advertisements, the Post reported.
“Mr. Frank James cannot receive a fair trial in the Eastern District of New York,” states the memo filed Monday.
His lawyers also asserted that subsequent to his apprehension by law enforcement, James was referred to repeatedly in the press as a “terrorist” and other derogatory names that assumed his guilt, the Post reported.
“In their hunt for and capture of the perpetrator of the mass shootings on the subway, New York City government officials consistently send the prospective jury a single message: Frank James is guilty,” they wrote.
In May, James pleaded not guilty to terrorism and other charges. The AP reported that he is facing charges of committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Both counts carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The failure of security cameras in the New York subway station where James opened fire is the subject of an investigation, as was reported by the AP at the end of April.
Acting Metropolitan Transportation Authority Inspector General Elizabeth Keating announced the probe, the report indicated.
Police acknowledged that security cameras in three stations weren’t working on the morning of April 12, including the Brooklyn station where the crime took place.
The AP also reported that the MTA has nearly 10,000 cameras at its 472 subway stations, and other cameras in nearby stations helped police track suspect Frank James’ movements before and after the shooting.
Two weeks after James was arrested, the AP reported that prosecutors and his defense attorneys were sparring over an FBI jailhouse visit to the suspect.
James’ defense attorneys claimed in a court filing that agents unexpectedly and improperly took DNA samples from Frank James.
Papers filed in Brooklyn federal court claimed FBI agents entered James’ cell, questioned him and took multiple swabs of his inner cheeks for DNA, the AP reported. The defense lawyers also suggested the agents didn’t have a search warrant.
