A man charged with involvement in an August slaying in Moorhead wants his trial moved out of Clay County.
In papers filed in Clay County District Court, attorney Peter Karlsson argues Stephen David Terrell Johnson, 21, will not be able to receive a fair trial based on media attention that the trial of a co-defendant likely will receive when it starts March 1.
Johnson is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Nasean Jordan in a south Moorhead apartment Aug. 29.
Four other men also face charges in the case, including Michael Dickey, 24, whose trial is scheduled for March 1.
Dickey's trial is the first scheduled in the case and no date has been set for Johnson's trial.
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In another motion, Karlsson is requesting that the charges against Johnson be dismissed because of contradictory testimony provided during two different grand jury proceedings.
Karlsson's motion states Johnson's due process will be violated because prosecutors intend to present a "conflicting theory ... against this defendant (Johnson) as opposed to all other co-defendants."
Clay County Attorney Lisa Borgen declined to comment on the motions Friday.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
