http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072607/geo_186970232.shtml
Meanwhile, David Edenfield's attorneys are asking Scarlett for a change of venue in his case, court documents show.
James Yancey and John Beall, in a written motion, said extensive news media coverage of the case, plus anger in the community over Christopher's death make it impossible for David Edenfield to receive a fair trial in Glynn County.
Yancey and Beall also cited the potential for prejudice against David Edenfield because he and his family are white, while Christopher was biracial.
"This is a case highly charged with racial tension. ... This is a classic example of interracial crime, which carries with it all the risks of racial prejudice attendant to interracial crime," Yancey and Beall wrote in a related motion asking the judge to interview prospective jurors in private.
Peggy Edenfield's attorneys also are seeking a change of venue in her case.
Kelley was doubtful that a change of venue will be warranted.
"We generally will oppose a change of venue unless it is proven absolutely necessary," Kelley said.
In Georgia, the legal test is not whether a prospective juror has heard or seen news reports or other information about a case, but whether the juror can set aside that information to focus solely on the facts and evidence presented during the trial to render a fair and objective verdict.
Meanwhile, Word and Wooten are urging Scarlett to "control prejudicial publicity" by any or all of the following measures.
- Exclude the public and news media from all pretrial hearings in the case.
- Impose a gag order on all attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement and court personnel and other parties involved in the case banning them from releasing any information about the case or court proceedings to the news media.
- Seal all records and transcripts in the case until after jury is impaneled and sequestered.
- Ban cameras in the courtroom during the proceedings.
- Take any other measures necessary to protect George Edenfield's constitutional rights to a fair trial.
It is unknown whether Scarlett will take up some or all of those motions when the hearings begin Monday.
Christopher was asphyxiated March 8 after being abducted and sexually brutalized. His body was found inside a black plastic trash bag in woods about 2 miles from his home in Canal Mobile Home Park exactly one week after he disappeared.
All three Edenfields lived in the mobile home park.
George Edenfield, 31, is a registered sex offender convicted of two counts of child molestation in 1997.
David Edenfield, 58, was convicted of incest against his daughter in 1994, but he isn't a registered sex offender. He wasn't required to register as a sex offender because his conviction occurred two years before the state law took effect.
The father and son are charged with taking turns sexually abusing Christopher while Peggy Edenfield, 57, watched. All three are charged with killing the youngster then disposing of his body with help from a family friend, Donald Dale, 34, of Brunswick. Dale is charged with concealing a death and tampering with evidence. He hasn't been charged with murder, and doesn't face the death penalty.
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