SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The trial of a man accused of killing Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart in a drunken driving crash will proceed, a judge ruled Monday.
Orange County (Calif.) Superior Court Judge Richard Toohey rejected a last-ditch plea by an attorney for Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, for a change of venue and ordered jury selection in Gallo's murder trial to begin Tuesday, The Orange County Register reported.
Defense Attorney Jacqueline Goodman contended that questionnaires distributed to hundreds of potentials jurors revealed that most Orange County residents had heard of April 9, 2009, accident, and thus might have a negative opinion of Gallo.
But Deputy District Attorney Susan Price argued against moving the trial, the newspaper said.
Opening statements are expected Wednesday as Gallo faces charges of killing Adenhart and two other people and seriously injuring a fourth after running a red light in Fullerton, Calif., and crashing into car in which the Angels pitcher was a passenger.
Gallo is accused of speeding in a minivan at about 65 mph in a 35-mph zone while under the influence of alcohol, on probation and driving on a suspended driver's license.
