Darrell Fuller trial delayed after juror reports being ill
Darrell Fuller arrives at the Nassau County Court in Mineola on June 9, 2014. Fuller, 34, of St. Albans, Queens, is facing life in prison without parole if found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a Nassau County police Officer Arthur Lopez and another man. Credit: Howard Schnapp
A Nassau judge delayed testimony in Darrell Fuller's first-degree murder trial Wednesday after a juror reported being ill.
Fuller, 34, of Queens, is facing life in prison without parole if jurors convict him in the October 2012 slayings of Nassau County police Officer Arthur Lopez and Raymond Facey, of Brooklyn.
Acting State Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter said the eighth juror on the panel called the court Wednesday morning to report he was suffering from a stomach virus, but expected to be available for the next trial session on Friday.
After jurors left the courtroom, Carter said he intended to dismiss the absent juror from the trial if the man didn't appear for court Friday.
Facey's widow, June Facey, said the delay in the trial -- which is expected to last several weeks -- was frustrating. "I want this to be over and done with really soon," she said.
The postponement followed an hourslong delay in the trial's opening arguments Monday as the judge awaited an appellate court decision on a defense motion for a change of venue -- a motion that failed.
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