Kenosha---A judge ruled against two defense motions that were brought Friday afternoon by the attorneys representing Andrew Obregon, the Bristol murder suspect who was the subject of a three week-long manhunt last fall.
Judge Chad Kerkman denied a motion for a change of venue, saying he believes an unbiased jury can be seated locally even with the intense and at times inflammatory publicity surrounding the case. "I think people have short memories these days," Kerkman said.
In the other motion, Kerkman refused to throw out a series of statements made by Obregon to investigators shortly after his arrest. The defense argued that the interviews were tainted for a number of reasons. They said that Obregon was in pain from having been shot and distraught from having been caught.
In denying the suppression motion, Judge Kerkman noted that Obregon had repeatedly passed up chances to have an attorney present during questioning.
Obregon’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 26th.
Several of Obregon's family members were in court Friday afternoon, including his mother, who was jailed for a time during her son's manhunt after being accused of aiding his flight from justice.
Courtroom security was tight, with a half-dozen deputies present.
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