RAPID CITY (AP) - A Washington state man accused of trying to kill a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper wants his trial moved out of Pennington County.
Thirty-four-year-old Donald Willingham, of Renton, Washington, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges in the October 2015 beating of Trooper Zachary Bader during an Interstate 90 traffic stop east of Rapid City.
The Rapid City Journal reports Willingham's attorney maintains that local news coverage has jeopardized his client's chance for a fair trial.
Three others charged with being accessories in the case have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Willingham.
Authorities say the traffic stop led to the recovery of more than 50 pounds of marijuana, $33,000 in cash and a handgun. Bader has recovered from skull and facial fractures.
