Michael Lee Liggett

A hearing was held this morning in Marion County Court on a motion for a change of venue filed by the defense in the trial of Michael Lee Liggett of Monroe. County Attorney Ed Bull explained the motion was based upon concerns of possible prejudice in the jury pool. The motion cited “inaccurate and unfair factual matters” published in an article in the Knoxville Journal-Express Friday.

Furthermore, the motion said of the Journal-Express article “this is a completely false representation of the facts and ruling by the court…such degree of prejudice exists in the county that there exists a substantial likelihood a fair and impartial trial cannot be preserved with a jury selected from the county.” The motion was granted. The trial will be held at the Polk County Courthouse beginning on May 4, at 8:45 a.m. County Attorney Ed Bull told KNIA/KRLS News he was disappointed with the decision, but the movement to Polk County was the best outcome of a terrible situation. At the hearing, Bull argued that the effect of the Journal-Express story was limited by its circulation in the Knoxville area and that unbiased jurors could be found in other communities within Marion County.

Judge Brad McCall decided the story and other factors have overly tainted the county’s jury pool. Bull said despite the change, the state is ready for the trial in any jurisdiction.

Liggett is charged in the death of 20-year-old Clayton Bennett Harsin on August 3, 2014. Harsin was northbound riding a 1982 Yamaha on Highway 14, slowing in an attempt to turn eastbound on G44. A 2003 Frontier pickup driven by Liggett failed to slow and struck the motorcycle in the rear. Harsin was ejected from the motorcycle, and Liggett allegedly fled the scene. Liggett is charged with homicide by vehicle while operating under the influence, homicide by vehicle – reckless driving and leaving the scene an accident resulting in death.