ATTLEBORO -- The attorney representing an Attleboro religious sect leader wants to move his clients trial to western Massachusetts, and wants the state to pay for a poll to determine whether it should be moved.
Jacques Robidouxs lawyer, Francis OBoy, filed a motion with Superior Court Judge Catherine White Wednesday asking her to authorize funds for a poll "to determine whether pretrial publicity would make it possible to put together a fair jury pool" in Bristol County. A poll would cost about $7,500.
Local publicity has raised the profile of the case against Robidoux, who heads a family religious sect called "The Body" and will be tried for first-degree murder of his 10-month-old son Samuel. Karen Robidoux, his wife and the childs mother, is charged with second-degree murder.
Samuel Robidouxs death led to an extensive search of Maines Baxter State Park, where the Robidouxs had buried their sons body and the body of his cousin Jeremiah Corneau, who died at birth in August 1999.
OBoy said moving the trial to one of Massachusetts four western counties "is a necessity" because publicity about the case has tainted the local jury pool. He has suggested Franklin County, near the Vermont border. The county seat of Franklin County is Greenfield, Mass.
"Usually, courts in Massachusetts have been fairly liberal in allowing counsels" to do this sort of thing, OBoy said.
OBoy said he expects a decision within the next week to 10 days.