Los Angeles Offered as Possible Site for Klaas Trial
Los Angeles and San Diego are among 10 counties suggested by attorneys Wednesday as possible new sites for the trial of Polly Klaas’ accused killer.
Barry Collins, defense attorney for Richard Allen Davis and a former Los Angeles County deputy public defender, also proposed Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
Prosecutor Greg Jacobs submitted Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Stanislaus, Solano and Fresno counties.
Since the attorneys could not reach a consensus on where to move the trial, it is up to Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Antolini to forward a list to the state Administrative Office of the Courts.
The state office will send back a list of three to four counties and attorneys will then battle over the choices in a court hearing.
Antolini granted a defense change of venue motion Monday after two months of trying to pick a jury. More than 200 Sonoma County citizens were screened and fewer than 40 were considered impartial enough to make it to the next screening phase.
Klaas, a 12-year-old Petaluma girl, was kidnaped from her bedroom on Oct. 1, 1993. Her body was found after a two-month search.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
