FITCHBURG — Mayoral candidate Alexander Vera’s trial has been moved until after the upcoming city election, according to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
Vera, who maintains his innocence, faces a single felony charge of misleading police during an investigation stemming from a May incident at a Worcester strip club.
His trial was originally scheduled for Friday in Worcester County District Court but was delayed to the morning of Nov. 16.
A spokesman from the district attorney’s office, Tim Connolly, said delays are not uncommon, but he did not know the exact reason for the change.
Vera, 25, said it’s a “bummer” the trial date was moved and that he cannot explain his case in court before the Nov. 7 election, where he will challenge the incumbent, Mayor Stephen DiNatale.
“I’m innocent from the allegations that they’re trying to charge me with, and I’m going to continue fighting for my city,” he said, adding he won’t let the date change “have an effect” on him.
According to the Worcester Police Department, an off-duty officer working in the Riviera Show Club on Southbridge Avenue in Worcester heard several gunshots at about 1:30 a.m. May 7.
The officer responded to the gunfire and said he saw 27-year-old John Mendez, also of Fitchburg, hand the weapon to Vera before finding a 23-year-old Worcester man wounded in his legs.
Security footage also showed Mendez pass the gun to Vera, according to police.
When officers arrived and questioned both men Vera allegedly told them he, not Mendez, fired the weapon.
Vera denied this allegation during a phone conversation Tuesday.
“I didn’t hesitantly mumble it was me,” Vera said. “Why would I?”
Vera was found not to be a danger after a May 11 hearing and allowed to post either a $1,000 cash bail or $10,000 surety bond for his release.
Following the several days he spent in jail he lost his job, but recently he has been taking care of his grandmother who is ill, he said. Vera said he worked in banking and financing and has previously held positions at TD Bank and People’s United Bank.
By moving forward with his candidacy, he said he wants to pass on a message.
“No matter how low your life gets … It’s always up from there,” he said.
In a campaign poster he outlined a platform including fighting to end the opioid epidemic, using renewable energy to cut Unitil costs and supporting the city’s “diverse small businesses,” among other issues.
@DobbinsSentinel on Twitter