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Murder suspect's lawyers seek change of venue
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
The lawyers for the man accused of killing a 40-year-old Frisco fitness instructor are seeking to have the trail moved out of Collin County.
Terrance Black's attorneys made their case before Judge John Roach Monday morning, presenting evidence and witnesses they said proved Black could not get a fair trial for the murder of Susan Loper. Several of the witnesses worked in the media. These witnesses were subpoenaed and ordered to present any stories written or broadcast by their organizations. The Plano Star Courier was one of the organizations included in the subpoena.
Black, 49, is accused of the April 19, 2011, murder of Loper, Black's former girlfriend. Loper was abducted from her Pilates studio at Plano's Gleneagles Country Club. Her body was found the next day in a field along the Dallas North Tollway in Frisco.
On April 22, 2011, Black was arrested at the Grand Canyon after apparently jumping off the rim of the canyon in what could have been a suicide attempt. Black landed on a ledge about 25 feet below the rim and was rescued. He suffered head and neck injuries and was hospitalized in Flagstaff, Ariz., before being extradited to Texas.
Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for Judge Roach said the judge has taken the defense's request under consideration, although no date has been set for a final decision on the issue. Black's trial is set to begin Aug. 20.
Terrance Black's attorneys made their case before Judge John Roach Monday morning, presenting evidence and witnesses they said proved Black could not get a fair trial for the murder of Susan Loper. Several of the witnesses worked in the media. These witnesses were subpoenaed and ordered to present any stories written or broadcast by their organizations. The Plano Star Courier was one of the organizations included in the subpoena.
Black, 49, is accused of the April 19, 2011, murder of Loper, Black's former girlfriend. Loper was abducted from her Pilates studio at Plano's Gleneagles Country Club. Her body was found the next day in a field along the Dallas North Tollway in Frisco.
On April 22, 2011, Black was arrested at the Grand Canyon after apparently jumping off the rim of the canyon in what could have been a suicide attempt. Black landed on a ledge about 25 feet below the rim and was rescued. He suffered head and neck injuries and was hospitalized in Flagstaff, Ariz., before being extradited to Texas.
Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for Judge Roach said the judge has taken the defense's request under consideration, although no date has been set for a final decision on the issue. Black's trial is set to begin Aug. 20.
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