Judge orders trials moved out of Missoula

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Aug 27, 2008 at 8:41 AM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2008 at 8:41 AM MDT

MISSOULA - A Missoula judge says two men, accused of beating a homeless man to death, cannot receive fair trials in Missoula and must be tried elsewhere.

District Judge John Larson based his decision Tuesday in part on the replies of 250 prospective jurors to recent questionnaires. They were asked about their exposure to news coverage of the incident last December in which 56-year-old Forrest Salcido was stomped to death.

Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg proposed selecting jurors from another county and moving the panel to Missoula for trial. However, that idea was rejected in favor of new venues.

Larson ordered that 18-year-old Anthony St. Dennis stand trial Sept. 26 in Great Falls before District Judge Thomas McKittrick; and that 20-year-old Dustin Strahan be tried Nov. 17 in Helena before District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock.

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