ATHENS - An Athens man is seeking to have his murder trial moved out of Clarke County over fears that jurors will confuse him with a more notorious murder suspect with a similar name.
James Maurice Hood wants his trial moved so jurors don't confuse him with Jamie Hood.
James Maurice Hood is accused of killing a man who came to his home to buy drugs in February 2011.
Jamie Hood is accused of killing an Athens police officer and wounding another officer in March 2011.
The court motion by James Maurice Hood's lawyers notes that there's been extensive media coverage of the officer's killing.
"It is feared that a jury, due to the similarities of the names, will not be able to set (aside) their prejudices toward Mr. Jamie Hood and render an impartial verdict in the trial of James Hood," the motion states.
The defense lawyers on Tuesday made arguments in support of the motion in Clarke County Superior Court. The judge did not immediately issue a ruling.
Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens
Wednesday
October 23rd, 2024
2:38PM
