Defense attorneys for four people charged in an attack caught on cellphone video of a mentally disabled man say the defendants have received death threats. Public Defender Amy Campanelli says that sensationalized, pervasive media coverage threatens to poison the jury pool. Public defender Neil Toppel cited an online post calling for the public execution of the defendants and their supporters.
The graphic cellphone video shows the four black suspects taunting the white victim with profanities against white people and President-elect Donald Trump.
Judge Peggy Chiampas has barred cameras and sketch artists from the court during preliminary hearings for the four defendants. The four were indicted Friday, their arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 10. Defense attorneys say they will try to have bail reduced for the four.
