The trial for Brian Thomas Cruz is scheduled to pick back up on Thursday, July 6 after a near three-month delay.
In March, Judge Lauren Weis Birnstein was set to give her ruling, but just as the trial began to wrap up new circumstances involving the defendant’s mental health called for yet another psychological evaluation and put the trial on an indefinite hold.
With the results of the new evaluation now in hand, Weis Birnstein plans to quickly move the trial forward towards a verdict.
The defendant is accused of 22 criminal counts, including the kidnapping of a Marquez Knolls grandmother, assault with a deadly weapon, multiple carjackings and reckless driving causing injury.
Cruz, who has served time in prison for previous burglary and rape charges, faces multiple consecutive life sentences.
—GABRIELLA BOCK
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