CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - A judge has declined to move a perjury case against the chief organizer of a deadly white nationalist rally.
The Daily Progress reports the Albemarle County judge declined Tuesday to move the scheduled March 20 trial of Jason Kessler, but took a defense motion under advisement, allowing the court the option to move the case later if a jury cannot be seated.
Attorney Michael Hallahan argued media coverage “demonized” Kessler and would make finding an impartial jury impossible.
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The perjury charge stems from a sworn statement Kessler made alleging he was assaulted by a Charlottesville man. Kessler later pleaded guilty to assaulting the man he accused.
White nationalists descended Aug. 12 on Charlottesville, their rally descending into chaos. A woman died when a car plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters.
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Information from: The Daily Progress, http://www.dailyprogress.com
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