Jurors could be imported to Athens for man's trial

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Authorities are exploring the idea of bringing jurors who live outside the Athens area to the northeast Georgia community to decide the fate of a man charged with killing a police officer.

The idea is being considered because of extensive pretrial publicity in the case against defendant Jamie Hood. He is accused of killing Athens police officer Buddy Christian and wounding another officer in March 2011.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ken Mauldin recently agreed with defense attorneys that the publicity might make it difficult to find impartial jurors in the Athens area.

Both sides are expressing their views in pre-trial motions. Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard will make the final decision on the jurors and where the trial would be held.