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Opening arguments begin today in Belstadt murder trial

WBFO-FM 88.7 | By Jay Moran
Published March 12, 2020 at 12:00 PM EDT
North Tonawanda Police
Joseph Belstadt is accused of killing teenager Amanda "Mandy" Steingasser in 1993.

After nearly three days of proceedings, a jury has been selected for the trial of Joseph Belstadt, the man accused of killing teenager Amanda "Mandy" Steingasser in 1993.  Rick Pfeiffer has been following the story for the Niagara Gazette. He says the judge and prosecutors are taking a thorough and deliberate approach in the case. With the amount of publicity the cold case has generated, some are concerned that a guilty verdict could face an appeal. While opening arguments are taking place today, Pfeiffer says over 60 witnesses may be called in a trial that will likely last several weeks.
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amanda steingasserjoseph belstadtNiagara GazetteRick Pfeifer
Jay Moran
Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been the local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of BTPM's "What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School, and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.
See stories by Jay Moran