Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Albrecht denied a motion Monday to move Jeremy Christian's murder trial to another county. But Albrecht noted the defense can raise the issue of a fair trial again, after jury selection.
Christian's defense attorneys argued their client couldn't get an impartial trial in Portland, where Christian allegedly stabbed three people, killing two of them on board a MAX light-rail train in May 2017.
"While defendant has succeeded in establishing extensive, adverse publicity in relation to this case, that fact alone will not require a change of venue," Albrecht wrote in her ruling Monday. "It will be imperative to carefully conduct the voir dire process here."
Prosecutors argued against a chance in venue. They said there was nothing unusual about the fact that Christian's case has garnered widespread media coverage.
"It is almost presumed that potential jurors may have some knowledge of a high profile case," prosecutors wrote in court filings. "The question is whether such individuals can maintain impartiality."
In her ruling, Albrecht said after jury selection, the defense can re-raise their motion to change venue, if at that time they still believe Christian cannot get a fair and impartial trial.
Christian's charges carry the possibility of the death penalty.
The trial is set for June.
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