Dad wants change of venue for upcoming murder trial; accused of killing two sons (Hillsboro, Ohio)

Dad WESLEY COONROD SR., who had "temporary" custody of his two sons when they died, wants a change of venue for his upcoming murder trial. He is also charged with arson in relation to the housefire that killed the boys. We've reported on Coonrod several times before.

http://www.recordherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=135972

4/29/2010 8:19:00 AM

Coonrod requests change of venue
Man charged in deaths of sons

Katie Wright
Brown News Services

HILLSBORO - Alleging that news coverage has included "suggestive details that will prevent a local jury from being unbiased," Wesley Coonrod Sr. has filed a motion requesting a change of venue for his upcoming murder trial.

Coonrod, 42, is facing charges of murder, arson and child endangering following the March 7 fire that killed his sons Thomas, 4, and Steven, 3, at the family's Greenfield home.

Coonrod's attorney, assistant state public defender William J. Mooney, filed for the change in location, saying that comments from the community on local news websites "reflect the already biased attitude of local citizens against Mr. Coonrod."

"Because the news coverage of Mr. Coonrod's case has been extensive and inflammatory, Mr. Coonrod moves this court for a change of venue," a memorandum attached to the motion states. "As the media has reported on this case from Columbus to Cincinnati, Mr. Coonrod respectfully requests that the venue be changed to a court that is outside of the area where media has reported on his case."

The memorandum included copies of local stories, including six Times-Gazette stories that ran in multiple Brown News Service papers, on the fire, the deaths of Coonrod's children and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Highland County Prosecutor's Office filed a memorandum Monday on behalf of the state, citing case law that "does not require a change of venue merely because of extensive pre-trail [sic] publicity. It is within the sound discretion of the trial court to determine whether a change of venue is necessary."

According to the memo from the state, "Simply asserting that because there has been pretrial publicity is not enough to demonstrate the defendant will suffer any prejudice."

The memorandums regarding a change of venue were just two out of more than 40 motions filed by Coonrod and the state since Coonrod's indictment last month.

A hearing on all motions is scheduled for May 3 at 9 a.m.