07-20-2011, 10:53 AM
Jax.com July 16. 2011
Peggy Edenfield's lawyer wants her murder trial in the sexual abuse slaying of 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. moved out of Glynn County.
Citing excessive pre-trial publicity, Richard Allen has filed a motion seeking a change of venue. His 59-year-old client would "be unable to find a fair and impartial jury" in the county, Allen said in a motion filed Wednesday in Glynn County Superior Court.
Allen declined comment Friday.
District Attorney Jackie Johnson said it's likely that prosecutors will agree to a venue change.
If he grants the motion, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett will decide whether to import a jury from another county and bring them to Brunswick for the trial or move the trial to another county.
No trial date has been set. Edenfield is undergoing evaluation to determine whether she is mentally competent to stand trial. She faces a life sentence if convicted of murdering the Brunswick boy.
Christopher disappeared while playing outside at Canal Mobile Home Park on March 8, 2007. Police recovered his body a week later inside a black plastic garbage bags in woods about two miles from the park.
Edenfield, her husband, David, and their son, George, a convicted child molester, were neighbors of Christopher. All three were charged with his murder.
David Edenfield, 61, is on Georgia's Death Row after a jury found him guilty of malice murder in October 2009. He is appealing his conviction and death sentence.
George Edenfield remains in a state mental hospital undergoing treatment until psychologists determine he is competent to stand trial.
Peggy Edenfield's lawyer wants her murder trial in the sexual abuse slaying of 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. moved out of Glynn County.
Citing excessive pre-trial publicity, Richard Allen has filed a motion seeking a change of venue. His 59-year-old client would "be unable to find a fair and impartial jury" in the county, Allen said in a motion filed Wednesday in Glynn County Superior Court.
Allen declined comment Friday.
District Attorney Jackie Johnson said it's likely that prosecutors will agree to a venue change.
If he grants the motion, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett will decide whether to import a jury from another county and bring them to Brunswick for the trial or move the trial to another county.
No trial date has been set. Edenfield is undergoing evaluation to determine whether she is mentally competent to stand trial. She faces a life sentence if convicted of murdering the Brunswick boy.
Christopher disappeared while playing outside at Canal Mobile Home Park on March 8, 2007. Police recovered his body a week later inside a black plastic garbage bags in woods about two miles from the park.
Edenfield, her husband, David, and their son, George, a convicted child molester, were neighbors of Christopher. All three were charged with his murder.
David Edenfield, 61, is on Georgia's Death Row after a jury found him guilty of malice murder in October 2009. He is appealing his conviction and death sentence.
George Edenfield remains in a state mental hospital undergoing treatment until psychologists determine he is competent to stand trial.