Man charged in New Mexico officer’s death wants trial moved

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – An Ohio man charged in the killing of a New Mexico police officer wants his trial moved.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported (http://bit.ly/2et3Q5R) Friday that attorneys for 38-year-old Jesse Denver Hanes recently filed a motion asking that his trial next year be held outside of Dana Ana County.

In court documents, Hanes says media coverage of the death of Hatch police Officer Jose Chavez would make a fair trial impossible.

Police say Chavez pulled over a vehicle in Hatch on Aug. 12 that was occupied by Hanes, James Nelson and a hitchhiker. Authorities say Hanes then shot Chavez, who died at a hospital.

Hanes and Nelson were both fugitives wanted in a shooting death in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Hanes pleaded not guilty last month to several charges including murder.