GREAT BEND, Kansas -- The man accused of killing a 14-year-old Great Bend girl says his trial should be moved because he can't get a fair trial in Barton County.
Adam Longoria, 37, was in court Wednesday for a motions hearing ahead of his murder trial.
He's accused of murder and sex crimes against Alicia DeBolt. Her burned body was found near Great Bend in August 2010.
During the motions hearing, Longoria's attorney argued for a change of venue, saying that it will be difficult to get a fair trial in Great Bend because of all the media attention.
"The people in Great Bend, in Barton County, are posting about this on Facebook and commenting with their friends and saying, 'He's guilty. We hope he gets what he deserves,'" said Jeff Wicks, defense attorney.
The state argues the media attention is no big deal and that Longoria's trial should stay in Barton County.
"It boils down to they don't like the way we did it because there's been a lot of media attention on it," said Andrew Bauch, prosecuting attorney.
The defense brought in a survey of 401 Barton County residents. The survey was spearheaded by a Pittsburg State University professor.
"The data showed that over 75 percent of the residents of Barton County believe that the defendant is guilty of the crime he is charged with," said Dr. Shirley Drew, Pittsburg State University.
Also Wednesday, the defense asked for the case against Longoria to be dropped based on the media coverage and the community buzzing about the murder case.
The judge denied that motion, but will wait until Monday to decide on the change of venue request.
Longoria's trial is scheduled to start March 26. He's charged with capital murder in the case, but prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.
If Longoria is convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
