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Former Vt. City Manager Wants New Trial

A former city manager of Winooski, Vermont, fired more than five years ago is asking for a new trial, saying a jury got it wrong when it found the city didn't dismiss him on religious grounds.

Joshua Handverger was dismissed in 2008 after nearly a year as city manager. Handverger, who is Jewish, sued the city, saying the dismissal hearing scheduled by the City Council fell on Rosh Hashanah. He said that interfered with his right to practice his religion with his family in Massachusetts.

The city offered another hearing, but that would have put Handverger past the end of his probationary period. The city denied any discrimination; a federal trial found in its favor.

The Burlington Free Press reports (http://bfpne.ws/1goxAqK) Handverger's lawyer writes he's entitled to a new trial.