Public defender Bob Emerson was expected to notify Dist. Judge William Ela this afternoon that he will file for a change of venue in the trial of Kenneth Botham Jr., charged with four counts of murder.
The first district court hearing for Botham, charged last November in the deaths of his wife, Pat, and Mrs. Linda Miracle and her sons, Troy and Chad, was scheduled at 2:30 p.m. today.
Botham was bound over to district court in early January, following a Mesa County Court preliminary hearing.
Emerson had not filed a written motion asking for the change of venue prior to the hearing today.
Botham was expected to be advised of his rights during the hearing today, and a date for a hearing on all motions was expected to be set.