UPDATE: On March 25, Law360 reported that the trial will resume on March 29, not March 28 as originally reported, following Judge Talwani’s mandatory quarantine period. Read the full article by Chris Villani of Law360 here (subscription required).
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of firm client Jovan Vavic’s “Varsity Blues” college admissions trial, Law360 and Reuters reported.
The decorated former University of Southern California (USC) water polo coach’s trial is delayed until March 28, partner Stephen G. Larson confirmed to Reuters. Stephen is representing Mr. Vavic at trial in Boston with partner Kori Bell. When Judge Talwani tested positive for COVID-19, Reuters noted, “prosecutors were in the midst of their third week of presenting testimony and evidence” against Mr. Vavic.
The Law360 breaking news article on March 23 referred to a docket entry from that afternoon, which said “CDC protocols were enacted. The jury has been advised.”
“The mask requirement has been lifted for the Boston federal courthouse, but Judge Talwani has required the public to be masked with masks optional for herself, jurors, and attorneys,” Law360 reported. “The judge has not been wearing a mask during the trial.”
Read the full article by Chris Villani and Brian Dowling of Law360 here (subscription required) and the full article by Nate Raymond of Reuters here covering the trial delay.
