Judge denies change of venue request in Longoria trial

A judge has denied a request to move the murder trial of Adam Longoria out of Barton County, a Barton County District Court spokesperson said today.

District court Judge Hannelore Kitts turned down a motion for a change of venue made by attorneys for Longoria, who has been charged with capital murder and sex crimes in connection with the August 2010 killing of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt. DeBolt, of Great Bend, disappeared from her home on Aug. 21. Her burned body was later found at an asphalt plant near Great Bend where Longoria had worked.

Attorneys argued last week that Longoria would not receive a fair trial in Barton County after three of four people in the county surveyed by a Pittsburg State University professor said they believe the 37-year-old Longoria is guilty in DeBolt’s death.

Longoria’s trial is set for March 26 in Great Bend.

This story was originally published February 13, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Judge denies change of venue request in Longoria trial."