Murder Trial Delayed After Witnesses Stabbed

A Boston judge has delayed a murder trial after two potential witnesses were among four people stabbed during a melee outside the courthouse Wednesday afternoon.

"At the request of prosecutors and one defendant through his attorney, empanelment in FOREMAN/RAINEY has been halted, the seated jurors have been released, and the parties will meet later [Thursday] morning to pick a new trial date," the Suffolk County District Attorney's office said in a statement.

According to the Boston Globe:

[Suffolk Superior Court Judge Linda Giles] said she was concerned the wounds suffered by the two witnesses were too severe to allow them to appear in court any time soon.

“I have no alternative other than to continue the trial,’’ Giles said from the bench.

The Associated Press adds:

Giles said she was concerned that the stabbings could set a precedent by sending the signal that to end a trial all you have to do is attack a participant.

As WBUR's Delores Handy reported Wednesday, Kadeem Foreman and Terrell Rainey face murder and assault charges for a 2010 shooting in Dorchester that killed a 24-year-old woman and injured a 19-year-old man.

The Suffolk County DA's office said "there is no evidence" that the two stabbed possible witnesses "were attacked because of their potential testimony in this case or any other rather than the long-term animus among the parties believed to be involved."

Delores reports that authorities hope to reschedule the new trial for the summer or fall.

The four people treated for stab wounds Wednesday are all expected to survive.