Sherry Arnold homicide trial moved to Glendive

BILLINGS (AP) — The trial of a Colorado man charged with killing eastern Montana teacher Sherry Arnold has been moved out of her home town.

Attorneys for defendant Michael Keith Spell of Parachute, Colo., argued he could not receive a fair trial in Sidney because of the heavy news coverage surrounding the case. They wanted it moved to Bozeman, more than 400 miles away.

In a Wednesday ruling, District Judge Richard Simonton instead moved the Jan. 6 trial to Glendive, about 50 miles away.

Authorities say Spell grabbed Arnold from a Sidney street in January 2012 and choked her or held her face in a puddle until she was dead. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

Spell's co-defendant pleaded guilty in August under a deal that calls for him to receive 100 years in prison.