The Latest: Defence wants to exclude models in hot SUV case

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Latest on a motions hearing in the case of a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Defence attorneys for a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die want a judge to exclude the prosecution’s three-dimensional computer animations.

Justin Ross Harris faces charges including murder in the June 2014 death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper.

The animations show the SUV from different angles. Some show it without a roof or windows. A prosecutor said the point is to show distance and spatial proximity at the crime scene.

But a defence attorney said these creations aren’t evidence, and could prejudice the jury in favour of the prosecution’s theory of the case.

The judge said she needs to think about whether to allow them, and will rule later.

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11:15 a.m.

A judge has ruled that jurors in the trial of a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die will be allowed to see the SUV during trial.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark on Friday ruled that prosecutors may have the SUV brought from Marietta, just outside Atlanta, to Brunswick, where the trial will be held, so jurors can see it.

Justin Ross Harris faces charges including murder in the June 2014 death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper.

After three weeks of jury selection in the spring, defence attorneys argued they couldn’t get a fair trial in Cobb County, where the boy died, because of pretrial publicity. The judge agreed, and the trial will be held in coastal Brunswick. Jury selection is set to begin Sept. 12.

Harris is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

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11 a.m.

Lawyers in the case of a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die are presenting arguments on the admissibility of certain evidence.

The arguments are part of a motions hearing Friday in the case of Justin Ross Harris, who faces charges including murder in the June 2014 death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper.

The hearing is being held in Cobb County Superior Court, just outside Atlanta. But the case is to move to coastal Brunswick when jury selection begins Sept. 12.

After three weeks of jury selection in the spring, defence attorneys argued they couldn’t get a fair trial in Cobb County, where the boy died, because of pretrial publicity. The judge agreed to relocate the trial.

Harris is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

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4 a.m.

A hearing is set in the case of a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die.

Lawyers for the state and for Justin Ross Harris are scheduled to appear before the judge for a motions hearing Friday morning. Harris faces charges including murder in the June 2014 death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper.

The hearing will be held in Cobb County Superior Court, just outside Atlanta. But the case is to move to coastal Brunswick when jury selection begins Sept. 12.

After three weeks of jury selection in the spring, defence attorneys argued they couldn’t get a fair trial in Cobb County, where the boy died, because of pretrial publicity. The judge agreed to relocate the trial.

Harris is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.