The attorneys for a Georgia teen accused of killing her mother and stepfather are pushing for a change of venue, citing the case’s high publicity.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 17-year-old Sarah Grace Patrick has pleaded not guilty of the February murders of 41-year-old Kristen Brock and James Brock, 45.
COURT TV reports that Patrick’s lawyers filed a motion to move the murder trial. They claimed extensive publicity in the case would make it difficult for her to receive a fair and impartial trial in Carroll County.
“The pretrial publicity surrounding this case is pervasive, inflammatory, community-saturating, and overwhelmingly prejudicial, such that Ms. Patrick cannot obtain a fair and impartial jury in this county,” her defense lawyer, LaToya Williams, argued.
The defense also argued that coverage by People Magazine and Court TV could impact the case. However, the prosecution argued that Court TV is not in Carroll County, and that coverage would still exist regardless of location.
The defense also presented comments about the case from online communities discussing the case. The prosecution argued that the online community that the defense showed in an exhibit had around 3,200 members.
Many of the members are from other countries, meaning they would be ineligible to serve on the jury, according to the prosecution.
Patrick turned herself in at the Carroll County jail in July, months after allegedly calling 911 to report the killings. She’s facing two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
Patrick contacted emergency services on February 20 after her 6-year-old sister found the couple shot inside their residence in the 1500 block of Tyus Carrollton Road.
Police stated there were no signs of a break-in at the residence, but one of the doors had been left open.
Patrick’s trial is scheduled for January 6.
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[Feature Photo via Carroll County Sheriff’s Office]
