A former Alaska lawmaker caught in a wide-ranging corruption probe has asked to have his retrial moved out of state.
Attorneys for Victor Kohring question whether he can get a fair trial given the publicity that his case and others like it have generated. In court papers, filed late last week, they say there is “more than an adequate foundation to presume prejudice,” and note what they call inflammatory pieces and commentary on Kohring’s case.
They also say moving the trial to the Lower 48 – to another state within the 9th Circuit – will make it easier for witnesses to be called.
The government has not yet responded to Kohring’s request.
Earlier this year, an appeals court panel overturned Kohring’s conviction and ordered a retrial, citing prosecutorial errors.
