Defense asks judge to move hot SUV death trial


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MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — Defense attorneys for a Georgia man accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son in a hot SUV to die have asked the judge to move his trial.

Justin Ross Harris faces charges, including murder, and has been in jail since the day 22-month-old Cooper died in June 2014.

Harris' attorneys filed a motion for a change of venue Friday afternoon, about three weeks into jury selection, multiple news media outlets reported.

The attorneys said they don't believe an impartial jury can be found in the county where the alleged crime happened. They said the questioning of potential jurors has shown that pretrial publicity has led many to believe that Harris is guilty.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley said she will hear arguments on the motion Monday.

Cobb County prosecutors have said that Harris, 35, was unhappily married and was looking for an escape.

Defense attorneys said their client was a loving father and that the death was a tragic mistake.

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Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html

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