Mom charged in Albuquerque girl’s death wants venue change

An attorney representing an Albuquerque woman accused of playing a role in the horrific rape and killing of her 10-year-old daughter wants her trial to be separate from the other two suspects and held elsewhere.

Attorney Gary Mitchell told KOAT-TV Friday that he plans to ask for a change of venue for Michelle Martens. He also wants each defendant tried separately. Mitchell told Martens to ask for a different judge, citing Judge Brett Lovelace’s background working in the district attorney’s office. Lovelace was excused and the case has been reassigned to Second District Judicial Judge Benjamin Chavez. Martens, Fabian Gonzalez and Jessica Kelley have pleaded not guilty to child abuse resulting in death and other charges in the slaying last month of Victoria Martens.