The judge in the Ross Harris case Monday granted a defense motion to change the venue of the hot-car murder trial. The decision could delay the trial for months, even though jury selection in Cobb County Superior Court was almost complete.
Court administrator Tom Charron, a former Cobb district attorney, said earlier Monday that if the trial were moved, it would likely be delayed until fall and could cost the county an additional $100,000.
Whether that will be the outcome of today's ruling is not yet clear.
The attorneys for the two sides were unable to compromise as Cobb Superior Court Judge Mary Staley had hoped. The defense had complained that Staley qualified five jurors who were biased against their client. After the judge asked the two sides to collaborate on a solution, the state agreed to strike two of the five disputed jurors. The defense, feeling confident, insisted all on five.
The judge said that forced her hand. Media coverage has been “persistent, pervasive” and ultimately colored the prospective jurors opinions, Staley said.
Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds said, "While we’re certainly disappointed, we understand and respect the court’s ruling. Whenever and wherever this case is set for trial, the state will be ready.”
For the latest developments in the Harris case, follow @ReporterJCB on Twitter.
About the Author
