State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for “the protections of jurors,” according to an order issued Wednesday.
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State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for “the protections of jurors,” according to an order issued Wednesday.
Grisanti took the unusual step of blocking two Buffalo News journalists from observing jury selection on Monday and Tuesday in the case involving the 2012 death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard Metcalf Jr., a move that one legal expert said was rare and did not appear to follow accepted courtroom practices.
Jury selection, as with all court proceedings, generally is open to the public.
Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth.
As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.
When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.