Wesley Snipes lost his latest battle in federal court this past week. He had asked that his trial be moved from Ocala, Florida, to New York City. Snipes is accused of attempting to obtain a fraudulent $12 million tax refund.
The judge, though, was unmoved. Judge William Terrell Hodges wrote, “While the Ocala courthouse is not located in the immediate vicinity of a major airport, it is within one hour and a half driving distance from two international airports, (Tampa and Orlando), and is within a 45-minute driving distance from Gainesville Regional Airport, which has regular direct flights to and from Atlanta and Miami…As the government points out, these driving times are only slightly longer and, on some occasions may even be less, than the congested commute from New York airports to downtown Manhattan.”
Snipes also asked for the move because he has a home in New York. But the judge pointed out that he has a home in Orlando, which is just to the south of Ocala. The judge also noted that Snipes “…is an affluent individual…” who can afford the travel costs.
And while the probable jury pool in central Florida wasn’t listed as an argument in both sides’ briefs, you can bet that Snipes felt that he would likely have a better chance in Manhattan than in Ocala, Florida. So the media circus will descend on bucolic Ocala in October when Wesley Snipes will face the government.
News Story: St. Petersburg Times
Tags: Snipes