Attorneys Seek Trial Delay for Gregory Moore
Defense counsel argues more time is needed to review extensive discovery in the case regarding Aliza Sherman's death.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Crime — General
Defense attorneys for Gregory Moore, who is charged in the 13-year-old murder of Aliza Sherman, have requested a delay for his trial. Prosecutors are pushing for a January 2027 start date, labeling the request a delay tactic.
Why it matters
The defense maintains that additional preparation time is constitutionally required to provide effective counsel. Prosecutors argue that the case must move forward to achieve a timely resolution for the victim's family.
Gregory Moore has entered not guilty pleas to all murder charges against him. The case discovery includes over 235,000 pages and eight terabytes of files.
The players
Gregory Moore
He is the defendant currently facing murder charges in connection to the 2013 death of Aliza Sherman.
Aliza Sherman
She was the victim whose death in downtown Cleveland 13 years ago led to the current murder trial.
Sanford Sherman
He was an individual involved in the case who passed away in 2024 and was the subject of search warrants in 2025.
The details
New defense counsel appeared on September 28, 2026, and cited the massive volume of discovery as the primary reason for needing more time to interview witnesses. The defense also stated its intention to investigate other potential suspects, while prosecutors argue the hiring of new counsel is being used to stall the proceedings.
Timeline
The murder of Aliza Sherman occurred in 2013.
Sanford Sherman died in 2024.
A special agent requested search warrants for Sanford Sherman in 2025.
The original trial date for Gregory Moore was set for September 14, 2026.
A pretrial is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows a common legal pattern where defense teams cite the Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel to request extensions in document-heavy cases. The current motion extends this precedent by arguing that modern electronic discovery volumes necessitate more time.
As this case involves a high-profile murder from 13 years ago, the ongoing court activity dictates the scheduling of judicial resources in downtown Cleveland. Residents should be aware that the legal proceedings will continue to influence local courtroom dockets through at least early 2027.
The takeaway
Large-scale discovery files in modern criminal trials often force courts to balance the right to a speedy trial against the need for thorough defense preparation. This case highlights how electronic evidence management can significantly complicate the timeline of long-standing cold case prosecutions.
What happens next
A pretrial hearing for the case is officially scheduled to take place on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local judicial proceedings, visit the Cleveland Crime — General section.
