News Nugget – Change of Trial Venue Hearing In Highland

In a hearing at the Highland County courthouse Wednesday, Judge John E. Wetsel Jr. denied a motion by the defense for Highland teen Robert Marshall Cornelius to have his upcoming trial moved to a different venue. Cornelius is charged with several felonies, including 1^st degree murder, use of a firearm, felony, 1^st offense, and two charges of obtaining credit cards. The defense argued that difficulty in seating a jury in this locality, along with media coverage of the case and pre-trial activities, would cast doubt on the eventual verdict. Judge Wetsel ruled against that argument, noting that the court had anticipated difficulties, and taken the pro-active step of sending a questionnaire to potential jurors to winnow the pool ahead of the trial. Out of 115 potential jurors, 65 still remain in the pool after challenges by both prosecution and defense, and cause.

Barring further delays, the trial is scheduled to take place in Highland September 25^th – 27^th.