Judge bars clothes with opinions, signs from trial in Aiden Lutz death
The judge presiding over the upcoming trial of a Butler man charged in the October 2023 death of 15-year-old Aiden Lutz, has barred opinion-bearing signage and clothing about the case from the courtroom.
Senior Judge James Arner issued an order Monday prohibiting from the courtroom clothing and signs that express positions about the guilt or innocence of defendant Joshua Rivera, 41. The trial is scheduled for late November, with jury selection Nov. 16-17.
The order says no one wearing such clothing will be permitted in the courtroom and signs will be confiscated. The sheriff’s office will enforce the order.
In addition, the order specifically bans the yellow “Justice for Aiden” T-shirts family and friends of Lutz have worn at previous court proceedings.
At a hearing in August, the judge who was originally assigned to the case but recused himself in September, also instructed Lutz supporters not to wear those shirts during the trial.
Rivera is facing multiple felony charges, including third degree murder, homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury, and aggravated assault by vehicle filed by Butler Township police after Lutz was struck and killed Oct. 19, 2023, while riding his bicycle on Dutchtown Road in Butler Township.
Rivera is being held in Butler County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.
