Lawyers: Move trial for ex-cop charged in neighbour’s death

DALLAS – Lawyers for a former Dallas police officer accused of fatally shooting a neighbour in his own apartment are asking that her murder trial be moved.

Amber Guyger is scheduled for trial in September in the killing of Botham Jean last year.

Her lawyers said in a Monday court filing that “prejudicial” media coverage and public officials’ actions have made it impossible for the 30-year-old to get a fair trial in Dallas County.

They say media spread a “false narrative” that race motivated the shooting by stating she is white and Jean was black. They also say a former Dallas County district attorney “poisoned the jury pool” by commenting on the case.

The defence has asked that the case be moved to another county in the same judicial district as Dallas.

A lawyer for Jean’s family said the public facts of the case do not bias potential jurors and the trial should be held in Dallas County.

“There is no basis whatsoever for a change of venue and accordingly the feeble motion should be denied,” attorney to S. Lee Merritt said in a statement.

A gag order prohibits the defence and prosecution from speaking publicly about the case.