Judge won't relocate Knapp trial

SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan declined on Thursday to shift a Sandpoint woman’s trial for leaving the scene of a deadly crash out of Bonner County.

Bonner County Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson argued print, radio and television reports on Brianna Lucille Knapp’s case will prevent her client from receiving a fair trial.

“Defense counsel does believe the Defendant has been prejudiced by these articles and seeks a new trial in another venue,” Robertson said in her motion.

On Wednesday, Prosecutor Louis Marshall called the defense motion “speculative” and “premature,” and suggested that questions of prejudice could be revisited by the court at jury selection.

Robertson countered that it could prove costly to summon a panel of jurors and then get a determination that the proceedings should be moved.

Buchanan agreed there was a lot of pretrial publicity, but said there have been other cases that attracted media interest without interfering with attorneys’ ability to select fair and impartial jurors.

The felony charge against Knapp arose from a July 2012 crash on Highway 200 west of Clark Fork in which Kurt Henson was killed.

Idaho State Police said Henson was riding westbound on a Harley-Davidson when he struck an abrupt lane edge in a construction zone, causing him to crash. Knapp, who was also westbound in Dodge pickup truck, crashed into the fallen motorcyclist, according to ISP.

However, Knapp is not accused of causing or contributing to the death of Henson, who was not wearing a helmet. She’s charged with failing to remain at the scene of the crash as required by Idaho law.

Knapp pleaded not guilty and is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending.

Knapp’s three-day jury trial in 1st District Court is scheduled to start May 13.