By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A crane rigger charged with causing the deaths of seven people when he used faulty equipment to construct a Midtown East high-rise opted for a bench trial on Wednesday.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Roger Hayes will decide the case of William Rapetti, 49, who faces manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and other charges stemming from a deadly crane collapse at 303 East 51st Street two years ago.
Rapetti, through his lawyer Wednesday, waived his right to have his case heard by a 12-member jury of Manhattan residents.
"The court is accordingly signing the waiver form, as so ordered," Hayes ruled.
On Tuesday, Rapetti's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, argued that a 911 call from a man trapped under the building that collapsed because of the contractor's faulty crane should not be submitted as evidence in court because it would be prejudicial. Aidala said the call would simply be used by prosecutors to "insight sympathy and maybe horror in the jurors' minds."
The lawyer would not comment on whether the 911 call had anything to do with the decision to waive his client's right to a jury trial.
Rapetti faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. His trial is expected to last at least one month, with about 50 witnesses slated to testify.
