WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Barton County Judge Hannelore Kitts is expected to rule Monday on whether to move the trial of a Kansas man accused with killing a 14-year-old Great Bend girl.
Attorneys for 37-year-old Adam Longoria contended at a hearing Wednesday that their client can’t get a fair trial in Barton County because most residents already think he is guilty.
A survey of 400 Barton County residents conducted through Pittsburg State University found all were familiar with the case and 94 percent thought Longoria was guilty.
Prosecutors say the survey is not representative and argue Longoria could still get a fair trial.
He is scheduled to go on trial March 26 on charges of capital murder and sex crimes for the August 2010 death of Alicia DeBolt.