URBANA - A federal judge has moved the trial of a man charged in the 2017 slaying of a University of Illinois scholar from China from Urbana to Peoria.
Peoria-based U.S. District Judge James Shadid this week approved a request from attorneys for Brendt Christensen to move the case. He cited convenience to all parties in the case, more courthouse space and his ability to manage filings in the case.
Christensen is charged in the kidnapping and death of Yingying Zhang, who went missing on June 9, 2017. Her body hasn't been found.
Government attorneys have said they plan to seek the death penalty because Christensen allegedly tortured Zhang before killing her.
Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin in April.