Trial delayed for man accused in fatal Portland train attack

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The trial for a man accused of fatally stabbing two men on a Portland light-rail train in 2017 has been delayed until 2020.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports a judge on Friday postponed the mutfrt trial of defendant Jeremy Christian until January after defense attorneys said they need more time to adequately prepare.

The trial had been scheduled to start June 24.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge Cheryl Albrecht said she appreciates comments from the alleged victims and their attorneys that the seven-month delay extends their “purgatory” as they await the outcome. But Albrecht said she must listen to defense attorneys who said it would violate Christian’s constitutional rights to bring him to trial when they aren’t ready.

Christian is accused of spewing hate speech at black teens on the train, and then stabbing three men who intervened.

He has pleaded not guilty.