Venue motion is postponed

SANDPOINT — A motion for a change of venue in a Sagle murder case was postponed on Tuesday because of a defense scheduling conflict.

Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson’s motion to move trial outside of Bonner County is now scheduled to be heard on July 6, the same day defendant James Matthew Anderson is set to argue his motion for the appointment of new counsel.

Robertson maintains pretrial publicity in Anderson’s case has tainted the jury pool and jeopardized her client’s chance at receiving a fair trial. Anderson, meanwhile, is trying to sever ties with Robertson because he believes he is not being adequately represented, according to court documents.

Anderson, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Eli Holt on Nov. 28, 2008. Holt, 30, was slain by a .44-caliber gunshot wound to the head.

Anderson pleaded innocent to the charge and told Bonner County Sheriff’s investigators Holt and another man showed up on his doorstep unannounced and threatened his family. Anderson allegedly told an investigator he brandished the weapon to convince the men to leave when it accidentally fired.

Prosecutor Louis Marshall argues Anderson opened fire and the use of force against the unarmed men was unjustified.

Anderson remains jailed with his bail set at $200,000. His five-day jury trial in 1st District Court is tentatively set for this summer.