Jury Selection to Begin Next Week in Polly Klaas Case

The first wave of prospective jurors in the trial of the man accused of killing Polly Klaas is scheduled to be called Wednesday.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Hastings set the stage for the long-delayed trial to move forward by denying a change of venue request Thursday and wrapping up other preliminary matters.

“It is my desire and hope that we can in fact select a panel here in Santa Clara County,” Hastings said.

The trial was moved to San Jose from Sonoma County after a judge there conceded that it would be impossible to get an impartial jury pool in the county where the crime took place.

Davis, 41, is charged with kidnapping the 12-year-old girl from her bedroom in Petaluma during a slumber party Oct. 1, 1993, strangling her and dumping her body beside a highway.

She was missing for two months, prompting a nationwide search that drew international headlines. Davis finally told authorities where to find the body.

Davis has a history of kidnapping, rape and robbery, and was on parole at the time of Klaas’ death. If convicted, he could be given the death penalty.

Defense attorneys had tried to get the case moved to Southern California, arguing that fewer people there have heard about it and therefore chances of an impartial jury are greater.

Instead the case was moved to San Jose, which prosecutors had sought, saying it was closer and more convenient.

Thursday, defense attorney Lorena Chandler renewed the request for a move, saying that San Jose, about 100 miles south of the original trial site, is still too close.

Hastings denied the motion without prejudice, meaning that if there are problems in picking a jury, defense attorneys can reintroduce their request.