Judge Won’t Move Toshima Murder Trial

The murder trial of the man charged in the Westwood slaying of Karen Toshima began Monday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Albracht denying a defense bid to move the trial somewhere else.

After reviewing newspaper clipings and videotaped accounts of television coverage, Albracht, who is presiding over the case in Santa Monica, ruled against the defense request for a change of venue, calling news coverage of the case “most routine.” The coverage should not prevent court from finding an unbiased jury, he said.

There is “nothing unique about this case,” Albracht said, citing other high-profile cases that have been tried in Los Angeles County, including the Night Stalker and Charles Manson murder trials.

Paul Takakjian, attorney for defendant Durrell D. Collins, 23, had argued that publicity surrounding this case was so great, long-lasting and divisive--pitting South-Central Los Angeles residents against the rest of the city--that jurors might feel compelled to convict Collins to “smooth over” the problem.

Testimony is expected to begin this week.