New Venue Sought for Oklahoma Man's Murder Trial

Associated Press

EL RENO, Oklahoma-- Attorneys for an El Reno man charged with killing his girlfriend and her four children want his first-degree murder trial moved.

Attorneys for 27-year-old Joshua Steven Durcho say he can't get a fair trial in Canadian County because of widespread publicity about the case. They say potential jurors could be exposed to information such as comments on one website that says men like Durcho need to die.

Durcho is charged with strangling 25-year-old Summer Rust; 7-year-old Kirsten Rust; 7-year-old Autumn Rust; 4-year-old Teagin Rust; and 3-year-old Evynn Garas in January 2009.

A May 24 hearing is scheduled on the request. The trial is to begin Sept. 13. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.