WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Manafort’s second trial will remain in the District of Columbia, a judge has ruled.
Manafort’s attorneys had requested that the former Trump campaign chairman’s trial later this month be moved to Roanoke, Virginia, arguing that the intensity of pre-trial publicity in Washington made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
But U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson says Manafort’s request appeared to relate more to concerns about the political affiliation of Washington residents, rather than a unique amount of pretrial publicity.
She also says the lawyers had not shown that thorough jury questioning and careful instructions couldn’t ensure that both sides could pick an impartial jury.
Manafort faces several felony charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller related to his Ukrainian political work.
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