KGUN 9NewsLocal News

Actions

Judge denies defense's motion to move Swartz trial to Phoenix

Posted at 7:30 PM, Oct 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-02 17:48:15-04

Federal prosecutors and defense attorney's for Lonnie Swartz met in the courtroom again Monday.

This time it was to discuss moving the trial to Phoenix. 

Attorney's for Swartz, who is being tried for killing 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, asked the judge to move the trial to Phoenix.

They say there has been a large amount of media coverage since the shooting in 2012. 

They argued the media coverage since then made it improbable to find a fair and unbiased jury in Southern Arizona. 

The judge ruling over the case told the defense their motion to change the location of the trial was premature and was denied.

The judge said they would go through the juror questionnaires first and then the defense can motion again to move the location if they wish.