Judge: Jury In Wong Case Won’t Be Local

Edwardo Wong Charged With Killing NC Trooper

POSTED: 9:34 am EDT June 30, 2009

UPDATED: 9:58 am EDT June 30, 2009

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- A judge said Monday that the jury that hears a trial in the slaying of a North Carolina trooper will not be local, but he has not decided whether to move the trial.

Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey ruled late Monday that Edwardo Wong will not be judged by a Haywood County panel.

Wong's lawyers asked that the trial be moved during a hearing on Monday because of pretrial publicity.

Wong is charged with murder in the shooting death of Highway Patrol Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr. Blanton was shot to death in June 2008 when he pulled over a rented car trailer that had no license plate.

Wong's trial is set to begin in October.

Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty if Wong is convicted.

Previous Stories:

October 17, 2008: Son Of Slain NC Trooper Dies
September 9, 2008: Slain Trooper's Son Transferred To Duke
August 21, 2008: Police: Man Stole Donations For Slain Trooper's Family
July 25, 2008: Slain Trooper's Wife Talks About His Death
July 18, 2008: N.C. Senator Pushing Bill To Pay For Trooper's Funeral
June 27, 2008: Slain Trooper’s Wife Issues Statement
June 25, 2008: 911 Calls Shed Light On Moments After Trooper Shot
June 24, 2008: N.C. Trooper Shooting Suspect Indicted
June 19, 2008: Trooper’s Brother: ‘He Was The Best Person Ever’
June 18, 2008: Memorial Service Scheduled For Slain Trooper

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