DA remains silent on Rosenstrach trial

“I can’t talk about it right now, but it will become apparent in the coming weeks,” Czajka said.

On Monday, Columbia County Judge Richard Koweek ruled that the trial would not move forward, a decision that has many stumped.

The case was pushed back several times since 2020, mostly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trial of former Valatie gym owner Alex Rosenstrach, his wife Deputy Sheriff Kelly Rosenstrach, IRS agent Bryan Haag and Kinderhook contractor Corey Gaylord had been scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection.

William Roberts, the attorney representing Kelly Rosenstrach, said he was confused and caught off guard by the Koweek’s decision.

“We were dealing with some pre-trial discussions and the district attorney had an application for ex-parte discussion with the judge, and then the trial was adjourned,” Roberts said. “I’m just as perplexed as anyone.”

Roberts declined to answer additional questions about the case, saying he did not want to jeopardize any future proceedings.

Albany attorney Paul DerOhannesian II, who represents Haag, said he was shocked at the turn of events.

“There was an application to the judge that was ex-parte, and after the application the judge came out and said the trial was adjourned,” DerOhannesian said.

DerOhannesian said Tuesday that he was ready to go to trial.

“We were prepared for trial and jury selection, addressing trial issues during which the district attorney said he wished to make an application to the court to do it ex-parte — meaning we weren’t present, DerOhannesian said. “After that, to our surprise, the trial was adjourned with no trial date. We have a date to come back in February.”

Counsel has been ordered to return to court Feb. 17, at 9 a.m.

“I don’t know for sure what the court will address in February because there are other matters that have to be tended to before that,” DerOhannesian said.

More than anything, DerOhannesian said, he wanted to clear his client’s name.

“This has been a very difficult waiting period,” DerOhannesian said. “It’s been over two years, it’s painful and it causes hardship, and I think it’s true for many if not all of the defendants. He (Haag) believes in his innocence and the only way to prove that innocence is to go to trial.”

Attorneys Michael Howard and Mark Portin, representing Gaylord and Alex Rosenstrach, respectively, did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.