Geske trial date set

GREEN BAY - Brown County Assistant District Attorney Tom Coaty told the court the victims' families want nothing more than to have a trial date set.

Attorneys from both sides and the judge agreed to schedule Anrietta Geske's trial for the week of March 16th, 2009.

But that could still change.

That's because where the trial will take place is still up in the air.

Geske didn't show up today in court, but her attorney did.

Jerome Buting has expressed concern about getting a fair trial in Brown County due to pretrial publicity in the case.

Buting submitted local media reports to the judge as a basis for his request to change the trial's venue.

On December 22nd, Judge Bischel will hear arguments and make a ruling on the motion.

That ruling could mean the trial is heard in another county, or a jury from an outside county would be brought in to Brown County.

After court Geske's attorney declined to comment on camera, because the change of venue motion is still under consideration by the court.

But a representative from Ashwaubenon Public Safety did talk with the media about the case.

"This thing happened in our community - the people of the community have the right to decide this case and it's my belief and I'm sure the District Attorney office's belief that even with the publicity that has been out there-there still can be a fair jury," said Lt. Jody Crocker.

Although it's unusual to file a victim impact statement before a defendant has been convicted the family of Ashley Britsch-Knetzger has already filed one.

It describes the pain the family experiences daily since Britsch-Knetzger's death, as well as the financial hardships the family has faced.