Defense Attorneys for Gregory Moore Challenge DNA Evidence and Search Warrants in Aliza Sherman Murder Pretrial

Gregory Moore, Aliza Sherman, Cleveland attorney murder, Cuyahoga County court, Erieview Plaza stabbing, Sanford Sherman, Judge Kira Krivosh, DNA evidence, cold case Cleveland, 2026 trial

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 10:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WOIO (Cleveland 19 News)

A Decade-Old Cold Case Returns to Court

Gregory Moore, the former legal counsel for Aliza Sherman, appeared in a Cuyahoga County courtroom Thursday afternoon for a critical pretrial hearing. Moore is accused of the 2013 aggravated murder of Sherman, who was fatally stabbed outside his Erieview Plaza office in downtown Cleveland during a scheduled appointment. The case remained cold for over twelve years until a secret grand jury indictment led to Moore's arrest by U.S. Marshals in Austin, Texas, in May 2025. Moore has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges including aggravated murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

Defense Challenges Warrants and Data Legitimacy

In recent filings, Moore’s defense team has launched an aggressive series of legal challenges aimed at dismantling the prosecution’s evidence. Attorneys have formally requested that the court suppress a wide array of data, specifically targeting cell tower records and Geofence data used to track Moore’s movements near the time of the murder. Additionally, the defense is challenging the "truthfulness and legitimacy" of the statements provided by authorities to obtain the original search warrants for Moore. They have also demanded access to search warrants and affidavits related to Sanford Sherman, Aliza’s former husband, as part of their broader investigative strategy.

Disputes Over DNA and Forensic Evidence

Forensic evidence remains a primary point of contention between the state and the defense. During previous proceedings, defense attorneys argued that DNA found on a watch at the scene does not belong to Moore and have motioned for a retesting of various biological samples. In February, Judge Kira Krivosh granted a motion to return Moore’s iPhone, which was seized in 2014, allowing the defense team to conduct its own digital forensic review. This move was deemed necessary by the court to ensure the defense can adequately prepare for the complexities of the upcoming trial.