A special prosecutor was recently appointed to review an incident involving the Erie County Sherriff’s Office Chief of Narcotics and members of the Buffalo Police Department. Attorney Barry Covert joined 7 News WKBW’s Michael Wooten, for an in-studio interview, to provide legal analysis on the case. Erie County Sherriff’s Office official, Daniel Granville, is accused of being involved in an April 2024 hit-and-run crash. It is alleged that he struck seven parked cars on Buffalo’s West Side, while driving a county-owned vehicle. Media reports indicate that the Buffalo Police Department responded to the incident and issued Granville a ticket, which was pleaded down to jaywalking. Over the course of his conversation with WKBW’s Michael Wooten, Barry Covert provided legal analysis and addressed several questions, including: • Does the appointment of an outside prosecutor suggest criminal charges are being considered in this matter? • What kind of charges could be brought in this incident and who...
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WGRZ Channel 2 recently reported on a proposed bill in Congress, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act). The bill, which is currently in committee, has generated notable discourse across social media. Specifically, many have expressed concern that the SAVE Act would make voting a challenge for married people who have changed their last name. Kelly Dudzik interviewed attorney Barry Covert, to provide legal analysis on the potential impact of the SAVE Act. Over the course of their interview, topics covered included: • Will the SAVE Act create voting challenges to those who have changed their last name due to marriage? • What documentation does the SAVE Act require of U.S. citizens who need to register or reregister to vote? • Are there other segments of U.S. citizens who will be particularly vulnerable to new voting obstacles created by the SAVE Act? Click the following video to watch WGRZ’s full report on the SAVE...
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There have been recent reports, which suggest that President Donald Trump may attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, via an executive order. These reports have launched a national debate and prompted the New York State Department of Education to send a message to school superintendents across the state. 7 News WKBW anchor Michael Wooten recently interviewed attorney Barry Covert, to explore the legality of this matter. Over the course of their conversation, Barry Covert provided legal analysis and addressed several questions, including: • Does the President have the constitutional authority to abolish the Department of Education by executive order? • If Congress has voted to allocate money to the Department of Education, is the President obligated to spend that money for its intended use? • Does the President have the ability to change the management and organizational structure of the Department of Education? • Has the Supreme Court ever ruled on issues related...
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Is a parody social media account of a public official a protected form of free speech? This question is at the center of a recent WGRZ - Channel 2 story regarding a Facebook page that was impersonating the Mayor of North Tonawanda. WGRZ reporter Robert Hackford spoke with attorney Barry Covert, who provided legal analysis on the matter. Click the following video to watch WGRZ’s full report. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MC48UvfgVew?si=3F3ybisJLs6QXjXo
A new bill, proposed in the New York State Assembly, could put restrictions on where it is legal to smoke or vape cannabis in the state. WGRZ - Channel 2 recently aired a report on the proposed bill, which aims to keep children away from cannabis smoke. Reporter Kelly Dudzik spoke with attorney Barry Covert, who provided legal analysis on the proposed bill. Click the following vide to watch WGRZ’s full report, which includes legal analysis from Barry Covert. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NxpAdr_Qaz8?si=robFA4VaT82eLmsc
The Niagara County Sherriff's Department announced that they will be the first in the United States to implement iris biometric identification technology, via the Inmate Identification and Recognition System (I.R.I.S.), in their patrol cars. The new technology captures over 265 unique characteristics of an individual's iris and proports to provide exceptional accuracy in identifying individuals. While fingerprinting can be an impractical method of identifying individuals in the field, I.R.I.S. allows law enforcement to confirm identities in real time from a patrol vehicle. WGRZ recently aired a report on the new technology, which the Niagara County Sherriff's Department will be using. As part of WGRZ's report, reporter Claudine Ewing spoke with attorney Barry Covert, to provide legal analysis on this new technology. Mr. Covert discussed the value of the new law enforcement tool, the potential privacy concerns that may be raised by the use of I.R.I.S., and the lack of federal laws that...
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The Chautauqua County District Attorney's office has recently charged Michael Burnham with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, and arson in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend in May of last year. Last year, Burnham led police on a multistate manhunt from Jamestown to South Carolina. Following an initial arrest, Burnham also managed to escape from a prison in Pennsylvania. WGRZ reported on new charges, recently filed against Burnham, by the Chautauqua County District Attorney's office. As part of their report, WGRZ spoke with attorney Barry Covert, who provided legal analysis on the timing of these new charges of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, and arson. Click the following video to watch WGRZ's full report, including analysis from Barry Covert. https://www.youtube.com/embed/shLJldjwcaM?si=xxzgzWQYVWZ4p0AM
Legal Analysis: Judge Grants “Youthful Offender Status” During Sentencing in Triple Fatal Crash Case
A 19-year-old Western New Yorker was recently granted "youthful offender status" during sentencing in a case that involved a triple fatal car crash. The defendant, who was 18 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree manslaughter and reckless driving. It is up to the discretion of the judge in the case whether the defendant would be granted "youthful offender status." The families of the victims in this case, as well as the District Attorney, opposed "youthful offender status" being granted in this case. Attorney Barry Covert sat down for an in-studio interview with WIVB anchors Jordan Norkus and Dave Greber, to provide legal analysis on the sentencing in this case. During their interview, Barry Covert discussed several topics regarding this case, including: What is "youthful offender status" in a New York State felony case? What factors does a judge consider when granting youthful offender status? How long will the guilty...
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City of Buffalo officials have been at odds with a property owner over the fate of a Cobblestone District building. The owner of the property sought permission to demolish the building, while preservation advocates pursued legal action to block the demolition. In the most recent legal development, an Erie County Court Judge reversed a previous court decision that would have allowed the owner to tear down the property. The Cobblestone District property that was the subject of this dispute recently suffered a fire. With the fire causing substantial damage to the property; how will the legal dispute between the building owner and preservation advocates move forward? Attorney Barry Covert spoke with reporter Kelly Dudzik to provide legal analysis for WGRZ's ongoing coverage of this story. How does the fire complicate an appeal to the judges' latest ruling in this case? In the aftermath of the fire, what new parties will have a...
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Former president Donald Trump was found guilty, by a New York jury, on thirty-four felony counts in a hush-money case. Attorney Barry Covert appeared in-studio to discuss the guilty verdict with WGRZ anchors Scott Levin and Maryalice Demler. Over the course of a lengthy segment, Mr. Covert provided legal analysis on the case and addressed several topics including: -How quickly the jury reached a verdict in this case; -Next steps in the process, including: Trump's probation interview, post trial motions, sentencing, and potential appeal; and -If political viewpoints can be used as an issue by Trump's defense attorneys on appeal. Click the video below to watch WGRZ's coverage of the Donald Trump guilty verdict, include legal analysis by Barry Covert. https://www.youtube.com/embed/B5TG_QRHrJY?si=oIl-3fJPuPdQXxTq