LOCKPORT — Opening statements could begin on Thursday in the trial of a Falls man charged in a 2022 homicide.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys reportedly made slow but steady progress on Tuesday during jury selection in the murder trial of Al Villane.
An additional five jurors were selected, bringing the total seated so far to eight. Lawyers in the case will need to select four more jurors and two alternates before testimony can start before Niagara County Court Judge John Ottaviano.
Villane, 32, of the Falls, is charged with a single count of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Hollis Stewart in November 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Stewart, 47, of the Falls, died from wounds sustained during an apparent confrontation with Villane at an apartment building in the 700 block of 20th Street on Sept. 19, 2022. He had been hospitalized at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for more than a month before succumbing to his wounds in November 2022.
Falls Police patrol officers, who responded to the stabbing call, said they found Hollis suffering from severe stab wounds. He was rushed to ECMC, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Crime Scene Unit (CSU) detectives reportedly recovered the suspected murder weapon inside the apartment.
Falls Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) detectives said they took Villane into custody immediately at the crime scene, after the stabbing, and he was initially charged with first-degree assault. He was later indicted on the murder charge by a Niagara County grand jury.
Villane has been held without bail since his arrest.