KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — It appears the mass-murder trial of Jason Dalton could be pushed back until fall or later, now that his defense attorney, Eusebio Solis, has notified the court and the prosecutor that he intends to appeal pre-trial decisions.
They claim the rulings could deny the rights of Dalton to have a fair trial. Under court rules, that means all court hearings in the case are stayed until the Michigan Court of Appeals issues its ruling.
The defense has 21 days to file motions with the appellate court. The prosecutor gets 21 days after that to file a brief responding to the motions. That alone could take the process past the June 13 trial date.
The defense claims detectives violated Dalton’s Fifth Amendment rights when they persisted in interviewing him despite his repeated statements that he didn’t want to talk.
Judge Alexander Lipsey tossed out parts of the Kalamazoo Public Safety interview, but allowed all of the Michigan State Police interview at trial. Solis wants it all ruled inadmissible at trial.
