BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Burlington man accused of shooting three college students of Palestinian descent last fall is due back in court Friday to ask for a new lawyer.
Jason Eaton has been in jail for the last eight months after police say he shot three young men as they walked on the sidewalk by his apartment. The crime took place just after the start of the war in Gaza. All three survived, but one was seriously injured.
Eaton is not facing a hate crime charge right now, but he is facing attempted murder charges. And now, he wants a new lawyer. At his last hearing in March, both sides were optimistic that the case could be trial-ready by January. However, a change in his representation would cause further delays.
In a filing earlier this week, Eaton asked to make his case private meaning members of the public, the state, and reporters would not be able to observe. WCAX has joined media partner Seven Days to deny Eaton’s request for a closed hearing. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George also called for Judge Kevin Griffin to deny the motion, citing the importance of the First Amendment giving the public and media the right to access criminal proceedings.