Kelly’s attorney asks to move trial
The Manassas man charged in the death of his 21-month-old daughter is asking that his trial be moved from Prince William County.
An attorney for Kevin Christopher Kelly, 46, filed a motion in Prince William Circuit Court on Friday asking for a change in venue due to the widespread publicity surrounding the case.
Kelly is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment in the May 30 death of his daughter, Frances, who was left in a van for more than seven hours, according to police. Officials estimate temperatures in the van reached about 140 degrees during the hottest part of the day.
Media coverage of the case has been “prejudicial and one-sided based on the release of only inculpatory information to the press,” the motion stated.
The motion also claims that the prosecution improperly released documents to public record that contained “prejudicial, inculpatory and embarrassing information” about Kelly.
Kelly’s attorney, Carroll Weimer, could not be reached for comment late Friday afternoon.
Prince William Circuit Court Judge Herman A. Whisenant Jr. will hear the motion Friday. Kelly’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 18-20.
If convicted on both charges, Kelly faces a maximum punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
Kelly is a civil engineer for a construction company. His wife, Mary, was out of the country at the time of Frances’ death. The toddler was one of 13 children.
The family belongs to All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, and a large crowd of parishioners attended Kelly’s court hearing to show support.
Kelly is out on a personal recognizance bond awaiting trial.