Posted on 05/12/2005 7:25:15 AM PDT by Ladysmith
Chai S. Vang, the St. Paul man charged with killing six deer hunters and wounding two others last fall, can get a fair trial in Sawyer County, Wis., the Wisconsin attorney general's office argued in documents filed Wednesday.
The state's attorney argued against motions filed earlier by Vang's attorneys, who said that heavy publicity and negative attitudes toward nonwhites in the county would make it difficult to select an impartial jury for Vang's trial, scheduled to begin Sept. 12.
"The mere fact that a case has been covered extensively in the media is not a sufficient basis to justify a change of venue," Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager wrote, adding that the coverage was "primarily informational and not inflammatory" or prejudicial.
Lautenschlager rejected the defense's contention that "racial and cultural overtones" in Sawyer County would make it impossible for Vang to be tried fairly there. While acknowledging that a small number of people may have made some "offensive and deplorable" comments about Vang and his attorneys, Lautenschlager said there's no evidence that such views are widespread or that jurors from the county couldn't be impartial.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
ah, lautensaucer trying to get good pr by handling a high profile murder case she is unqualified to handle.
She probably thinks it's a slam dunk and it will get her re-elected. But unfortunately for her and the families of the victims, she will likely screw it all up.
My sentiments exactly.
thanks for the ping.
My guess is that if this guy got a change of venue to Mars he would still get fried.
Actually I was waiting for this. First step in any high profile/emotional crime is to move it out of the area. Lets see if Keg can prove herself some what competent (I doubt it) when is her re-election bid starting? I guess in reality now.
We have to be thankful that she has top notch Assistant Attorney Generals working with her.
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