Pubdate: Thu, 28 Feb 2002
Source: News-Enterprise, The (KY)
Copyright: 2002 News-Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1663
Author: Greg Bartlett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ATTORNEY IN DRUG CASE WANTS CHANGE OF VENUE

The attorney for a man facing trial in Hardin Circuit Court has 
requested a change of venue for his client, saying that a fair trail 
cannot be held in Hardin County because of prejudiced media coverage.

Charles Steven Blakley's trial for methamphetamine-related charges is 
scheduled for March 20, but his attorney, Mike Moulton, filed a 
motion Tuesday seeking a change of venue to elsewhere in the state. A 
hearing will be held in Circuit Court on Monday to address the issue.

Neither Moulton nor officials at Hardin County Commonwealth's 
Attorney's office would comment.

Blakley was sentenced to 15 years in prison in another 
methamphetamine trial that concluded in January. It was the county's 
first meth trial, in which Blakley was convicted for possession of 
drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. His 
cases have been in the local news since they began more than a year 
ago.

Moulton, in his motion, said the media's "prejudice is of such a 
great nature that a fair trial could not be had."

"Commencing with the date of (Blakley's) arrest, the daily paper in 
Hardin, LaRue and Grayson counties, The News-Enterprise, has carried 
sensational stories purporting to relate facts specifically 
concerning the defendant, including referring to him as a drug 
kingpin," Moulton said. The "publicity transcends the normal amount 
of newspaper comment concerning the defendant and his pending cases."

A search of The News-Enterprise archives could not find any reference 
to Blakley as a "drug kingpin."

Moulton's motion continued, saying that "in addition to the 
circulation of rumors and stories in the aforesaid newspaper, radio 
stations in this county have likewise carried news reports at various 
hours of the day and have sent stories concerning this defendant into 
practically every home in Hardin, LaRue and Grayson counties."

Moulton also accused officials at the Hardin County Commonwealth's 
Attorney's Office with making statements and committing actions 
regarding Blakley that are not allowed under past Supreme Court 
rulings.
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