In a Dec. 2 letter addressed to Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, the U.S. Attorney's office asked for a delay in making certain pre-trial filings in the criminal case against Jason Servis, citing "discussions regarding a potential pre-trial disposition." Servis was a prominent trainer before being indicted and suspected in March 2020 for horse doping.
On Dec. 1, the government notified Vyskocil that Servis' co-defendant, Dr. Alexander Chan, will enter a guilty plea on Dec. 5, the same day the pre-trial filings are due.
Servis and Chan were scheduled to face trial jointly beginning Jan. 9 in Vyskocil's court. Chan worked as Servis' veterinarian in New York during the time period described in the indictment against them. Assuming the court accepts a guilty plea from Chan, Servis would face trial alone and the prospect of Chan offering testimony prejudicial to his defense unless his case reaches an agreed disposition.
Friday's development could be a serious step toward the resolution of the Servis case. Vyskocil wrote in a scheduling order in May, "The Court will not accept delays," yet she granted the request to delay pre-trial filings by one week shortly after the Dec. 2 letter was received.
"This request for an extension of time to file motions in limine is granted. Motions in limine are due Dec. 12, 2022. The deadline to oppose those motions and to file all other required pre-trial submissions remains Dec. 19, 2022, and will not be extended," Vyskocil wrote.
