Attorney Wants New Venue in Beason Killings Trial

An attorney for a man accused in the 2009 bludgeoning deaths of five family members in central Illinois wants to the trial venue moved because of heavy media coverage.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that attorney Dan Fultz says he will complete a required survey of nearby counties that could serve as alternate venues.

Fultz says he will then likely file a request to move the trial out of Logan County before a Dec. 3 deadline.

His client, Christopher Harris, is accused along with his brother of using a tire iron to kill Ruth and Rick Gee and three of the couple's children in their Beason home.

They're also charged with attempted murder for an attack on the Gees' then 3-year-old daughter, who survived.