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Federal law enforcement sources told the Washington Post last night that they plan to move the trial of Jared Loughner — the madman believed to be responsible for the January 8 shooting rampage in Tucson — out of Arizona because of the extensive pretrial publicity the case has received.
Loughner, 22, has been charged with several counts of murder and attempted murder in an Arizona federal court, but sources tell the newspaper that federal authorities probably will move the trial to San Diego in the next few weeks.
The final decision on a change of venue will be made by Judge Roslyn O. Silver, but one law enforcement official told the WP, “It’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time.”
U.S. Justice Department prosecutors handling the case said this morning that they plan to try the case in Arizona, despite any motions filed by Loughner’s attorney to have it moved.
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“The Department plans to bring the case in Arizona and will oppose any change in venue motions,” Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller says.
Considering two of the victims of Loughner’s alleged crimes are a popular Arizona congresswoman, and a federal judge from the Grand Canyon State (John Roll, who was killed in Loughner’s alleged rampage), we have a feeling Loughner won’t be spending too much time in an Arizona courtroom.
