NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- The trial of former Port Richey mayor Dale Massad on attempted murder charges has been pushed back from its rescheduled start date of March 16 to June 22 due to the impact coronavirus concerns are having on local court systems.
- How are coronavirus concerns impacting this trial? A spokesperson for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pasco and Pinellas Counties, said Friday morning no jurors will be empaneled for any trials beginning next week due to coronavirus concerns. Circuit Judge Mary Handsel said during a pre-trial conference that more than 200 jurors were summoned for duty next week, and the court didn't want that many people in one place.
- Are other cases impacted? A spokesperson for the Pasco County Clerk's Office said 128 jurors were summoned for duty at the New Port Richey courthouse and 81 were summoned for the Dade City courthouse. One other jury trial besides Massad's was expected to take place in Pasco next week.
- What about other counties? The Supreme Court of Florida issued an administrative order suspending all grand jury and jury selection proceedings and criminal and civil jury trials from Monday, March 16-Friday, March 27.
- What does this mean for the Massad trial? This is the second time the trial date has been pushed back. It was originally scheduled to begin Feb. 24, but was rescheduled to March 16 after Massad's attorney told the judge that new information had come to light that needed to be investigated. "He really was psychologically ready for this trial that was going to start on Monday. All the witnesses were present, they were healthy. We're ready to go. So, it's a big disappointment," said Massad's attorney, Denis deVlaming. Massad faces charges of attempted murder for allegedly shooting at Pasco County deputies as they tried to serve a warrant at his home last year.
- What's next? A bond hearing has been scheduled in Massad's case for March 25. His atttorneys told Circuit Judge Mary Handsel that his health is declining. Massad has been in jail since he was arrested last February, and with his trial delayed more than three months, they requested a meaningful bond hearing. Massad was convicted in June on charges that he conspired with former Port Richey acting mayor Terrence Rowe to intimidate a Port Richey Police officer connected to a case involving Massad. Still, deVlaming said an appeal bond could allow Massad to be released. A third trial in which Massad faces charges of practicing medicine without a license was scheduled to take place in May. That has been removed from the court calendar for the time being. Attorneys agreed to hold the trial on the more serious attempted murder charges first.