Draymond Coleman and Krystal Riordan, the pair who are charged with the 2006 murder of Jennifer Moore, 18, in a now-defunct Weehawken hotel, were denied a motion filed by their attorneys earlier this month to dismiss the indictment against them or suppress the physical evidence from their arrests.
However, after many delays, Assistant County Prosecutor Michael D’Andrea said last week that a trial could start as early as this spring.
Coleman and Riordan, both of New York City, are charged in the July 25, 2006 murder of Moore, a Harrington Park teen who was allegedly killed in the former Park Avenue Hotel in Weehawken after she and a friend got split up after a night partying at a club in New York City.
“I’d like to think that perhaps a trial could be set for May.” – Michael D’Andrea
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Coleman and Riordan were indicted in March of 2007 on charges of murder, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, weapons offenses, hindering apprehension, and tampering with evidence.
Perfect storm of delays
D’Andrea, the assistant prosecutor on the case, said that the basis for the recent motion to dismiss, filed by the pair’s defense lawyers, was alleged improper conduct on the part of the police. D’Andrea explained that the issue of police engagement was a little complicated because of the difference of laws between New York and New Jersey, but ultimately the judge denied the motion to dismiss the indictment or physical evidence.
D’Andrea added that the motion may have been a tactic to delay the proceedings.
D’Andrea, who has been working on the case since it began nearly three years ago, said that such delays are not unusual in a murder trial. “The average murder trial takes between two to four years,” he said. “[In this case], it has been a perfect storm of delays.”
At the time they were indicted, Coleman and Riordan faced the death penalty. However, the case wound up sitting for 18 months while New Jersey legislature debated capital punishment, which ultimately wound up being repealed.
Another six-month delay ensued while the defense awaited software that would enable them to view the computer-generated digital images captured in the surveillance video tapes.
D’Andrea said the biggest delay came about when Coleman got new counsel to represent him last year after his previous attorney resigned from the case for personal reasons.
With the motion to dismiss the indictment and evidence denied, the defense is left to ponder an appeal or ask to be tried separately.
Despite the delays, D’Andrea said the case should be ready to go to trial this spring. “I’d like to think that perhaps a trial could be set for May,” he said. “We’re at that point.”
Reports have stated that Riordan’s attorney, Dwight Miller, is ready to proceed. Coleman’s attorney, Anthony Gualano, said last week that he is unable to comment on the case.
Plans for site continue
The Weehawken hotel where the murder was allegedly committed was condemned in January of 2008 and has since been demolished.
The township purchased the building from a private owner and will be converting the site on Park Avenue near 48th Street to affordable senior housing. Hudson County pledged $500,000 late last year to help with the construction, and the township is hoping to secure more state and federal grants.
The estimated cost of construction is approximately $8 million. The township is hoping to begin construction on the five-story, 28-unit building sometime in 2011.
“It took years and years to finally condemn that building,” said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner in an interview about the project in December. “Just having a plan in the works for a building that will help people in need of housing, instead of providing housing for those that want to hurt people, is ultimately well worth it.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.