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Trial Begins In Case Of Man Accused Of Shoving Woman Into Subway Train

NEW YORK (AP / CBSNewYork) - A prosecutor says a man committed a pointless crime by abruptly shoving a woman into the side of a moving New York City subway train. But defense lawyers say it was an accident.

WCBS 880's Irene Cornell On The Case

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Jose Rojas' attempted murder trial started Tuesday in Manhattan.

Assistant District Attorney David Drucker told jurors Rojas walked up to marketing worker Ute Linhart on a subway platform and pushed her into a train as it rushed into a station in August 2010.

Both sides say Rojas was drunk from downing beers after work.

Defense lawyer Steven Ross says Rojas stumbled into Linhart.

The impact hurled the German-born Linhart back toward the platform. She suffered broken ribs and other injuries.

Prosecutors say Rojas told bystanders he didn't know why he pushed Linhart.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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