Enron case won't be moved from Houston

HOUSTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The judge running the fraud and conspiracy trial of Enron Corp.'s former top executives is keeping the trial in Houston.

Lawyers for Ken Lay, Enron's former chairman, and Jeff Skilling, the former chief executive, had asked U.S. District Judge Sim Lake for a change of venue, but Lake denied the request, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

Defense attorneys had argued that negative comments on jury questionnaires and the plea of co-defendant Rick Causey meant the case should be moved or potential jurors individually questioned.

Prosecutors opposed both notions.