Opinion ID: 1766302
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: should a change of venue have been granted?

Text: I fully acknowledge that wide discretion is (as it should be) given to the trial court in determining this question. Hurley v. Commonwealth, Ky., 451 S.W.2d 838 (1970). The question we determine as appellate judges, is whether the trial court abused his discretion in denying a change of venue. I believe it is clear that the trial judge did so in this case. At the hearing to determine this question, it was clearly established that the crimes were extremely well publicized by all of the local and regional media. It literally was the talk of the town. In a somewhat unusual move, appellant introduced a public opinion survey, prepared by a psychologist who testified as to its contents. It showed that 98% of the people in Lyon County knew about the homicide; that 55% of the residents of Lyon County believed appellant to be guilty; that 58% of Lyon Countians preferred the death penalty; and that only 54% of Lyon Countians believed Grooms could get a fair trial in their county. In addition, 13 affidavits of Lyon County citizens were filed which indicated that appellant could not receive a fair trial in Lyon County. The only response by the Commonwealth was the filing of two affidavits to the effect that appellant could indeed receive a fair trial in that venue. The majority opinion disposes of the poll by stating that a majority of Lyon Countians believed Grooms could receive a fair trial. That majority is the 54% referred to above. The fact that only 54% of the citizens believed appellant could get a fair trial in Lyon County is, in my opinion, by itself, sufficient to show that Grooms could not get a fair trial there. These statistics mean that 46% of the people felt that he could not get a fair trial. To permit a trial in such a location is similar to playing Russian roulette with 46% of the gun's chamber being loaded. Is that a fair trial? Is that due process of law? Any substantial community feeling against the accused should militate that a change of venue should be granted. Here, 98% of the people knew of the crime; 55% of the people thought Grooms to be guilty and 58% preferred the death penalty. I believe the evidence is overwhelming that the trial court abused its discretion, and I would accordingly reverse on this ground and direct that any retrial be conducted in a venue where a fair trial can occur. See Ice v. Commonwealth, Ky., 667 S.W.2d 671 (1984).