The trial for Prestige Limousine operator Nauman Hussain will start on May 1 as scheduled, as an appeal that would have impacted the trial is denied.

Hussain pleaded guilty in fall 2021 in connection to the crash that claimed the lives of 20 people in Schoharie in 2018 as part of a plea deal. Under the agreement, he would have been placed on probation for five years without serving jail time.

That plea was thrown out last August after Judge Peter Lynch intervened and vacated the agreement, calling it "completely disingenuous."

Hussain's attorney, Lee Kindlon, filed an appeal, saying the judge did not have the authority to vacate the agreement. The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court disagreed.

“We continue to prepare for trial, as we have been doing for months,” Kindlon said. “We are evaluating all of our options, but are cognizant that jury selection begins in 10 days.”