Defense Seek Change of Venue for Murder Trial

Arguing that pretrial publicity has ruined any chance that David Alvarez can receive a fair trial in the county, attorneys for the murder defendant want a judge to move the trial to another venue.

The request comes before Superior Court Judge Rebecca Riley today and is one of several court briefs that must be resolved before the trial.

Alvarez, 23, has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted rape in the December 1998 slaying of Oak View teenager Kali Manley.

Prosecutors contend that Alvarez, of Ojai, strangled the 14-year-old girl during a sexual assault in the bedroom of a trailer owned by his family.

Defense attorneys James Farley and Robert Schwartz are asking a move to another county because prospective Ventura jurors have been exposed to “prejudicial publicity.”