<!--Rick Pfeiffer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Pfeiffer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.pfeiffer@niagara-gazette.com">rick.pfeiffer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
LOCKPORT — The murder trial of Darrius “D” Molson remains on hold after a very brief hearing in Niagara County Court on Friday afternoon.
Molson’s trial, had been scheduled for the start of jury selection on Monday, was delayed at the request of prosecutors. Prosecutors said an illness to a key police witness made the delay necessary.
Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III has asked both sides in the case to return to his courtroom on Monday to see when a new trial date can be set.
Molson, 26, of the Falls, and Phillip “Country” Holloway, 21, of Texas City, Texas, both are charged with gunning down Deion Wood, 27, as he sat on the porch of a home in the 1900 block of Ferry Avenue in the early morning hours of June 13. Both men have pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and a single count of criminal possession of a weapon.
Molson has been granted a separate trial from Holloway, who had confessed to shooting Wood. Holloway’s trial is set to begin March 8.
Molson has turned down a plea deal from prosecutors.
Assistant District Attorney Doreen Hoffmann told Murphy that Molson had been offered a chance to plead guilty to the weapon possession count.
His defense lawyer says Molson doesn’t want a deal.
“Mr. Molson had indicated to us he’s not interested in taking that plea,” Public Defender David Farrugia said. “He doesn’t want the plea because he says he didn’t have a gun.”
The deal would have left Molson facing a possible prison sentence of five to 15 years.
Contact reporter Rick Pfeiffer
at 282-2311, ext. 2252.
