October 10, 1997 - Change Of Venue Motion Denied
Judge James Beckner has denied defense motions for a change of venue for the Lillelid murder suspects. The judge ruled during a motion hearing that he is convinced a trial can and should be held in Greene County. However, saying that seating a jury of Greene Countians may be too much to ask of the local citizens, the judge said he plans to obtain jurors from another, as yet, undetermined county to hear testimony when the case goes to trial next February.

(BECKNER VOICER....OC....WHEREVER)

The change of venue requests were the only matters discussed at Thursday morning's hearing, the first of a series of motion hearings scheduled over the next few months in preparation for trial. The next motion hearing is scheduled for October 30th.