JUL 3, 2019
Family of suspect in MacKenzie Lueck case worried about possibility of fair trial in SLC
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Speaking from her office in New York, attorney Janet Fashakin said the presumption of innocence is a civil right in the United States and she questioned if Ayoola Ajayi will be entitled to that right if the trial takes place in Salt Lake City.
“AJ is being crucified already,” she said.
Fashakin said she got a call from Nigeria, where Ajayi's mother has been reading news reports in disbelief.
“There is no way you can watch all this that`s being said about your loving son and you be able to be at peace,” said Fashakin.
She insists the man the media has characterized is not her son.
“Mrs. Ajayi wants me to let you know that she has a good son. A very hardworking son at that. A son who cares about others," said Fashakin.
The family is afraid judgments are being made based on a limited amount of evidence revealed by police.
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Fashakin believes Ajayi will not be able to receive a fair trial in Utah, at least in part due to his skin color.
“There is no way AJ can get a fair trial in Utah considering the racial disparity over there,” said Fashakin.
Charges have not been filed yet, but once they are, Fashakin is going to work to get the trial moved out of state.
“We are very confident that when all is said and done, AJ will be found not guilty,” she said.
Fashakin said she knows the Ajyais from Nigeria and at this point, she has not been paid for her services.