MJ wants to move the trial to NY
http://www.boston.com/news/local/ve...killing_niece_wants_trial_moved_out_of_state/
MONTPELIER Citing public anger and death threats, lawyers for a man charged with killing his 12-year-old niece say in a new court filing that its impossible for him to get a fair trial in Vermont.
Defense attorneys say Michael Jacques has been the subject of so much press coverage and such vitriolic online posts that his trial should be moved to Albany, N.Y., to escape juror bias. In a motion filed late Thursday, they said Jacques and his lawyers have been the subject of calls for death since he was charged in the 2008 slaying of Brooke Bennett of Braintree.
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Prosecutors have said they believe Jacques can get a fair shake in Vermont. US Attorney Tristram Coffin, Vermonts lead federal prosecutor, wouldnt comment on the latest defense filing when contacted yesterday. But in a response to the defenses original change-of-venue motion in May, prosecutors said it was premature to consider a different location. They said no ruling should be made until interviews of would-be jurors establish bias that cant be overcome. Fair juries have been seated to hear other high-profile cases in Vermont, the government contends.
In the new defense filing, Jacquess lawyers included 150 exhibits newspaper articles, online stories, television and radio broadcasts, Facebook pages, Twitter tweets, and blog entries to buttress their claims, many suggesting various modes for killing, maiming, or otherwise exacting revenge on Jacques, who has pleaded not guilty.
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This is idiotic - they're using examples from
the internet to say that he can't get a fair trial locally - huh?