2nd trial for double murder suspect moved
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) _ The second trial of a southwest Florida man accused of killing a young couple and leaving behind their toddler with the bodies is being moved to Pinellas County.
The decision comes a month after a Fort Myers jury failed to reach a verdict. A mistrial was declared after more than 30 hours of deliberations.
Fred Dewitt Cooper Jr. is accused of murdering Michelle and Steven Andrews in December 2005. Investigators said Steven Andrews was having an affair with the mother of Cooper’s daughter.
The case received widespread attention because their 2-year-old was heard calling for his mother on a 911 call that brought deputies to the scene. The child was unharmed.
Defense attorneys said heavy publicity would prevent Cooper from receiving a fair trial in Fort Myers.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.