SAGINAW (MI)
Saginaw News
March 17, 2019
By Bob Johnson
The attorney for Robert “Father Bob” DeLand Jr. argued in a Saginaw County District courtroom Monday that extensive media coverage will make it difficult to seat an unbiased jury in the Saginaw Catholic priest’s upcoming trial.
During the hearing that took place on Monday, March 18, in Judge Darnell Jackson’s courtroom, attorney Alan Crawford asked for a change of venue as well as additional challenges when vetting potential jurors.
“It’s going to be rare that we find anyone who hasn’t heard anything about this case,” Crawford said.
Prosecution argued that media coverage was not grounds for a venue change and called it premature.
The attorney is claiming heavy media coverage has prejudiced potential jurors against his client.
Jackson denied the additional challenges of potential jurors that Crawford requested, but did not rule on a venue change, stating that he will reserve that ruling for once jury selection begins.
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