Citing Threats, Defense Lawyers Seek to Move Steubenville Rape Trial to Another Town

[RetroGamer1971]

Source: www.jezebel.com

Adam Nemann, the lawyer for 16-year-old defendant Trent Mays, told CNN he wants the case moved out of Steubenville because of the extensive publicity it has received "and what we perceive as threats to individuals, perhaps witnesses, and also defendants and even defense counsel."

Nemann would not elaborate on those threats but said media attention and an explosion of online postings about the case are another part of the reason he'll be filing motions for a postponement and a change of venue.

"We're concerned about safety issues at this point," he added.

The obviously line here is, "Yeah, kinda wish someone had been concerned about the safety of the young woman they dragged from location to location and raped that night."

Honestly, these alleged threats, if they even did happen, feel like a distraction — a sad attempt to move a case that's rightfully received National attention. However, it strikes me as fairly futile — I'm pretty sure they could move this thing to Mars and Martians would be all "Oh SRSLY? Fuck those guys."

As it stands, the trial was scheduled to take place on Feb 13 in Steubenville. Since the local judge who was going to preside over the case recused himself, a judge from Cincinnati is slated to hear it. That is, unless Mays and his lawyers get it moved.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/steubenville/

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I hope they do move it. With all of the people in political power in this place mucking with things, a fair trial would be tough. There worst nightmare should be a sane, impartial, impaneled jury outside of their jurisdiction.

[uppityperson]

1. Good and thanks for the notice. nt

[rightsideout]

2. Safety issues?

What about the safety of the girl at the time of the assault?

I'm glad there are threats. It will make life uncomfortable and inconvenient for those who tried to cover it up. They need reminders of the animals they are.

[Jim Lane]

7. You're invoking a classic right-wing theme.

Every time there's an issue about procedure in a criminal case, an argument that the government shouldn't treat a defendant a certain way is met with the response that the defendant (who is generally presumed to be guilty) showed no such solicitude toward the victim. These days the argument is most often made by supporters of the death penalty. It's also been applied to various fair-trial issues, such as the right to a government-paid attorney.

Traditionally, it has been the left that rejected this equivalence. What the government should do is not determined by the conduct of any particular criminal defendant. Alleged criminals are not our role models. Nor are prosecutors supposed to have getting a conviction as their only concern. As the classic statement has it, "The government wins its point when justice is done in its courts."

Everyone has the right to a fair trial. Even people who are being called "animals" on an internet message board have the right to a fair trial. In this instance, based on what little I know, I'd say that moving the trial out of Steubenville is clearly correct.

[pennylane100]

9. of course they deserve a fair trial,

then can we castrate them upon leaving the courtroom.

[Taverner]

10. +1000

We need a fair trial - and I don't think that will happen in Steubenville

[tavalon]

3. I don't have a problem with them moving it

as long as the process remains open to sunshine and fairness reigns supreme. Yeah, I personally believe everyone involved needs to go to prison, I want the process to be fair. If it is truly fair, the truth will be obvious.

[Downwinder]

4. Maybe find a place that does not have football fever.

Of course it might go to a arch rival team's town.

[alp227]

5. I suggest Cleveland, as the Browns have been garbage for the past 5 years or so.

THAT is definitely a place WITHOUT football fever.

[amandabeech]

6. I de-suggest Canton and Columbus.

Extreme football fever.

From a "Go Blue" type.

[jerseyjack]

8. Ohio was the scene of one of the most famous "move the trial" cases.

Dr. Sam Shepard was tried in the newspapers. Motion to move was rejected. Supreme Court ruled that local prejudicial publicity lessened the prospect of a fair trial.

In Steubenville, I suspect the defense made an error in wanting a change of venue. There would likely have been more Yahoos voting for acquittal in Steubenville.

[Tempest]

11. They would do worse out of the area

The town has protected the boys for years and would continue to do so in a court of law.

[avebury]

12. The trial should be moved.

There would be a better chance of getting a jury that would consider the evidence and not throw it in favor of the defendant. I wouldn't trust an jury or prosecutor from Steubinville.