WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- Attorneys for a Florida man charged with killing a state trooper in Haywood County said pretrial publicity makes it impossible for the man to get a fair trial in the county.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that attorneys for Edwardo Wong will argue at a hearing Monday that the trial should be moved.

The 37-year-old Wong is charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 slaying of Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr. on Interstate 40 near Canton.

Blanton and his wife, Michaela, had a son, Tye, only weeks before he was shot. The child was born prematurely and with medical problems that led to his death in October.

Wong's trial is scheduled for October. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey will consider the change-of-venue motion during Monday’s hearing.