Change Of Venue For Accused Santa Fe Shooter Challenged By DA

GALVESTON, TX — Prosecutors in Galveston County have challenged the motion filed in January by attorneys representing accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis who claim their client cannot receive a fair trial in Galveston County.

Defense attorney Nicholas Poehl filed a motion on Jan. 8 asking for a change of venue, citing pretrial publicity had tainted the potential jury pool and would prevent his client from receiving a fair trial in Galveston County.

On Friday, prosecutors countered with a 30-page response to that motion, arguing pretrial publicity has not tainted the jury pool. Prosecutors argued that with nearly 300,000 qualified jurors in Galveston County, that Pagourtzis could receive a fair trial.

Pagourtzis, 18, is accused of walking into Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018, and shooting 23 students and staff members.

Ten people died that day, including two staff members and eight students, and left 13 wounded, including Santa Fe High School resource officer John Barnes.

If he is convicted, Pagourtzis could spend up to 40 years in prison.

READ ALSO:

• Accused Santa Fe Shooter's Lawyer Wants To Move Trial
• Dimitrios Pagourtzis, Accused Santa Fe Shooter, Appears In Court

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