Hettinger's attorneys ask judge to move trial
By Dolly A. Butz, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Attorneys for a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Raina Hulit, of South Sioux City, formally asked a judge Monday to move his trial out of Woodbury County due to prejudicial media coverage.
Matthew Hettinger, 24, is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 17 on charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse stemming from Hulit's death.
Police say Hettinger shot Hulit on Jan. 5 at his house on West Eighth Street, then attempted to hide her body in Stone State Park in Plymouth County.
Defense attorney Douglas Roehrich offered into evidence media coverage of the case from newspapers and TV stations. He referred to an article in the Sioux City Journal published March 30 that quoted Hulit's mother. He said the headline, "A parent's worst nightmare" as well as statements from Hulit's mother are prejudicial against his client.
"I think that's a very emotional aspect for people in this area, that you're dealing with a family looking for their daughter," he said.
Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings argued that the article does not focus on Hulit's murder.
"The topic of that article is centered on runaway kids, not this particular case," he said.
Coverage of the other murders that occurred in Woodbury County during January and February, Roehrich said, further brings his client's case to the forefront. Jennings said the additional homicides "dissipated the focus on Hettinger."
Lawrence Douglas Harris Sr. is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Jan. 6 deaths of stepdaughters Alysha and Kendra Suing in their home at 1420 Nebraska St.
Jeremy Williams and Samuel Wright were charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery for the Jan. 15 shooting death of 23-year-old Zachary Cooper, whose body was found near Lawton on Jan. 17.
Wright was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree kidnapping in July. Williams was found guilty of willful injury causing serious injury, willful injury causing bodily injury and third-degree kidnapping.
Judge Jeffrey A. Neary said he would take into account the number of first- and second-degree murder cases that occurred in January and February before making his ruling.
"I recognize as we sit here today that those that went to trial have been here in Woodbury County," he said.
Roehrich also asked that an investigator be appointed by court order for the defense. Neary granted his request.
Matthew Hettinger, 24, is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 17 on charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse stemming from Hulit's death.
Police say Hettinger shot Hulit on Jan. 5 at his house on West Eighth Street, then attempted to hide her body in Stone State Park in Plymouth County.
Defense attorney Douglas Roehrich offered into evidence media coverage of the case from newspapers and TV stations. He referred to an article in the Sioux City Journal published March 30 that quoted Hulit's mother. He said the headline, "A parent's worst nightmare" as well as statements from Hulit's mother are prejudicial against his client.
"I think that's a very emotional aspect for people in this area, that you're dealing with a family looking for their daughter," he said.
Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings argued that the article does not focus on Hulit's murder.
"The topic of that article is centered on runaway kids, not this particular case," he said.
Coverage of the other murders that occurred in Woodbury County during January and February, Roehrich said, further brings his client's case to the forefront. Jennings said the additional homicides "dissipated the focus on Hettinger."
Lawrence Douglas Harris Sr. is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Jan. 6 deaths of stepdaughters Alysha and Kendra Suing in their home at 1420 Nebraska St.
Jeremy Williams and Samuel Wright were charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery for the Jan. 15 shooting death of 23-year-old Zachary Cooper, whose body was found near Lawton on Jan. 17.
Wright was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree kidnapping in July. Williams was found guilty of willful injury causing serious injury, willful injury causing bodily injury and third-degree kidnapping.
Judge Jeffrey A. Neary said he would take into account the number of first- and second-degree murder cases that occurred in January and February before making his ruling.
"I recognize as we sit here today that those that went to trial have been here in Woodbury County," he said.
Roehrich also asked that an investigator be appointed by court order for the defense. Neary granted his request.
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