Judge: Double Murder Trial Will Remain in Missoula
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge has denied a woman's request that her trial for the deaths of two people be moved to another county.
District Court Judge Jim Wheelis ruled Friday that Tiffanie Pierce's trial will be held in Missoula County.
Pierce is charged in the 2017 killings of Jackson Wiles, 24, and Marilyn Pickett, 15.
Police have said Pierce and Augustus Standingrock stabbed the victims and submerged their bodies in plastic tubs of chemicals.
Pierce's attorneys argued that wide publicity of the case had tainted potential jurors in Missoula. Wheelis said the details of the case will affect jurors anywhere in the state.
The Missoulian reports that court officials plan to double the number of potential jurors.
Standingrock pleaded guilty in December. Prosecutors have said he agreed to testify against Pierce.