Defense Moves To Ship Kruger Case Out Of DeSmet

Lawyers in the Melissa Kruger case are deciding whether the trial for the 18-year-old DeSmet High School student should be moved out of Kingsbury County. Kruger’s attorney Carmen Means made the motion for a change of venue Monday at a motions hearing in DeSmet. Means told Judge David Gienapp she had difficulty defending a case in Kingsbury County that didn’t have the media attention of Kruger’s and that finding a jury of residents who didn’t have knowledge of the case would be impossible. Kingsbury County States Attorney Gregg Gass told Gienapp he found no evidence that the media’s coverage of Kruger’s case would taint a jury pool and there is no sufficient evidence to move the trial. Kruger must have no contact in relation to the DeSmet Schools. Means said because of that it would be hard to find an impartial jury. Gass countered saying Kingsbury County is a part of six school districts and that it would be possible to seat a fair jury. Gienapp will met off the record with Means and Gass to discuss the issue further. As a result of the possible move of location Gienapp granted a continuance, though a new trial date has not been set. Motions for discovery for both sides were granted and a motion to sequester witnesses on both sides was granted as well. Means also made a request that a friend of Kruger’s be able to visit with Kruger while she is on house arrest. Gienapp agreed but instructed Means to make sure the case is not discussed while Kruger and the friend visit. Kruger faces charges of making a terrorist threat and simple assault for threatening to harm students and staff at the DeSmet High School in postings on a Facebook page.