Murder suspect wants change of venue

Keywords neglect
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The suspect in the stabbing death of a 14-year-old Columbus girl last month has asked a judge for a change of venue for his trial. Demetrick Shepherd, who is being held in Bartholomew County jail for the murder of Chelsea Porter, wants his trial to be moved out of the county because he believes he won’t receive a fair trial because of the press coverage of the case. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 4.

If a change of venue isn’t granted, Shepherd would like a test jury to be compiled to gauge how impartial the community will be on the case or have a jury brought in from another county.

Shepherd was arrested earlier this month on preliminary charges of murder and burglary. Police said Shepherd admitted to stabbing Porter after she woke up while he was trying to steal car keys from the apartment where she was staying.

Bartholomew Superior 1 Judge Chris Monroe will issue a decision on the request.

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