7 years, 6 months ago by Scott Hardy
Two week trial will start January 23
Curt Lovelace's second trial will be held next year, but not in Adams County. Scott Hardy has more.
Saying he "has reasonable apprehension" that Lovelace would have an impartial jury at his murder re-trial, Judge Bob Hardwick granted a defense request Friday to move the trial out of Adams County, due to extensive local media coverage. The trial will now be held in Sangamon County Court in Springfield, starting January 23rd, and last two weeks. Defense attorney Tara Thompson said afterwards she's happy with the decision.
Tara Thompson :08
Special Prosecutor Ed Parkinson said he was a little surprised by Hardwick's ruling.
Ed Parkinson :16
In his ruling, Hardwick cited results of a survey done by the defense over the summer, that said one third of 200 Adams County residents surveyed had formed an opinion on the case. Hardwick also granted prosecution motions that will exclude any mention of Cory Lovelace's bulimia, and drop any mention of Lovelace's defense as the Exoneration Project. Hardwick also ruled that the defense had until the end of October to examine Detective Adam Gibson's phone records, and then return them to Hardwick.
Lovelace faces one count of 1st Degree Murder, and is accused of smothering his first wife Cory with a pillow the night before her body was found on Valentine's Day, 2006. He remains free on $3.5 million bond.
