Change of Venue Denied for Grocer’s Murder Trial
A Compton Superior Court judge denied a request to change the location of the trial of Soon Ja Du, a grocer accused of murdering a 15-year-old customer in her South Los Angeles market.
Earlier this month, Du was indicted by a grand jury in the slaying, which allegedly began as a dispute over a bottle of orange juice.
In a rancorous demonstration outside the courthouse, activists and relatives of the slain girl, Latasha Harlins, called for a speedy trial, and for Du to be remanded into custody. Du remains free on $250,000 bail. A hearing to set the trial date was scheduled for May 21.
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