SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Defense lawyers for the man charged with
kidnapping Elizabeth Smart have argued that the case should be
moved out of Utah so he can get a fair trial.
Attorneys for Brian David Mitchell said during a hearing
Thursday that inflammatory pretrial publicity from news media has
tainted the jury pool, and that survey data show potential jurors
in states such as Colorado and Kansas have fewer prejudices.
Federal prosecutors argued against a change, saying the case
isn't the same as other high-profile cases - such as Oklahoma City
bombing trial of Timothy McVeigh - where venue changes have been
granted.
It's unclear when U.S. District Court Dale Kimball will rule on
the issue.
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