LOCKPORT —
The trial against a Rochester teen accused of bludgeoning a 24-year-old youth counselor to death last spring could be moved out of Niagara County due to high media publicity.
In the third day of jury selection against Anthony J. Allen, 19, no jurors were picked out of a pool of 140. Niagara County Court Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza said only two jurors had no prior knowledge of the case.
“We’re having trouble because of all the publicity,” defense attorney E. Earl Key said Wednesday. “Only a few (jurors) said they could be fair and partial.”
Although prosecution argued against Key’s motions, Key said he thought prosecutors were only objecting, because they want to “stack the deck” in their favor.
“We feel like we can get through this with jurors from Niagara County,” Deputy District Attorney Holly E. Sloma said.
Sperrazza granted Key’s motion to present a change of venue to the Appellate Court, which will be presented with the motion by Key within 32 to 48 hours.
“I’ve covered a lot of high-profile cases and I’ve never had this many people who knew about a case like this,” Sperrazza said. “If they say go forward, we will. If the say move it, we will abide by their rule.”
If the case is moved, Sperrazza will still be the judge on the case.
Key said Monroe County may be the most promising next move, but according to state laws, the change of venue can only be made within the same judicial district where the crimes were committed. Monroe County is outside of that jurisdiction.
Several of Greco’s friends and family members denied to comment about Wednesday’s court actions but said their constant support for Greco is always there.
“We’re here fighting for justice for Renee,” friend Harry Provorse said Wednesday.
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