Michael JacquesMontpelier, Vermont - March 30, 2010
The man accused of raping and killing 12-year-old Brooke Bennett wants to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in his case.
Michael Jacques' lawyers filed a motion Monday calling the death penalty discriminatory. They argue that since Vermont doesn't have the death penalty it shouldn't be applied in the federal case against Jacques if he's convicted.
His lawyers also plan to file a motion to move the trial out of state, saying the extensive publicity surrounding his case make a fair hearing impossible. Additionally, they requested to move the trial from federal to state court, sparing Jacques the death penalty.
WCAX News
