Possible Venues for Klaas Murder Trial Down to 4, Including L.A

The list of possible venues for the trial of the man accused of killing Polly Klaas was narrowed Monday to four counties--Fresno, Santa Clara, San Diego and Los Angeles.

The first two were on the prosecution’s list of suggested sites for trying Richard Allen Davis; the second two were on the defense list.

Of the four prospects offered by state judicial officials, prosecutor Greg Jacobs said he likes Santa Clara and Fresno, in that order. He said he wants to keep the trial in Northern California, in part to make it more convenient for witnesses.

On the other side, deputy public defender Barry Collins has said the trial ought to be moved as far south as possible to find jurors who have not heard too much about the case.

Efforts to hold the trial in Sonoma County, where the victim lived, stalled this month. After two months of interviewing prospective jurors, Superior Court Judge Lawrence Antolini said local feeling runs too strong to get an impartial panel.

Davis, 41, is accused of kidnaping the 12-year-old from a slumber party in her bedroom Oct. 1, 1993, and killing her.