Man Accused of Shooting Divorce Judge Gets New Venue
After three days of unsuccessful jury selection, a judge in Nevada has ordered a venue change in the case of a man accused of killing his estranged wife and shooting the judge handling their divorce.
Judge Douglas Herndon cited a list of special factors that led to the decision to move the case to Las Vegas—that the case involves a wealthy businessman, public officials and involves two sensational crimes that have drawn national attention, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.
Darren Mack is accused of fatally stabbing his wife, Charla, on June 12, 2006, then driving to a Reno parking garage and shooting their divorce judge, Chuck Weller. Mack has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to the Gazette-Journal.
Moving the trial could cost Washoe County an extra $100,000 to move evidence, witnesses and to pay the salaries of two special prosecutors needed to try the case, the paper reports.
