The defense team for the gunman responsible for the mass shooting at the Buffalo TOPS is seeking more time before his federal death penalty trial.
A status conference was held in Buffalo on Wednesday where Payton Gendron’s defense asked for a delay in the start of the trial, which is tentatively set to begin January 5, 2026, since one of their attorneys were diagnosed with a very serious illness and has been unable to work on the case.
The defense told Judge Lawrence Vilardo they would need 30 days to report back with a replacement.
Vilardo will make a ruling at the next conference on June 17, saying he will be “flexible,” but not put it off for a “significant period of time.”
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