Lawyer for bar owner asks to transfer rape trial out of Huron

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HURON (AP) — A lawyer for a South Dakota bar owner accused of serving a 12-year-old and two 14-year-olds alcohol and raping them requested a judge move the trial out of Huron because it will be hard to find an impartial jury.

Lawyer Carmen Means said during a motions hearing Tuesday for 35-year-old Werner Fajardo that many residents in Huron are angry about the influx of Hispanic and Asian residents to the area and it might make finding a jury difficult.

But the media reports that prosecutor Mike Moore says placing a jury should not be a problem.

The judge has not ruled on the motion.

Fajardo has pleaded not guilty to rape and providing alcohol to minors at his El Cuervo bar.

His trial is scheduled to start May 16.

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