Meanwhile, many have seen the state’s court system as sending mixed messages on grand juries. Chief Judge Janet DiFiore weeks ago implied grand jury operations were not going forward. Those comments came the same day a state court spokesman said the system was aiming to continue grand jury proceedings.

As the state’s Capital Region faces its most severe surge of the pandemic, Albany County District Attorney David Soares is urging New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to shut down grand jury assemblies.