A stack of pretrial motions, including one for a change of venue, have been filed by the lead defense attorney representing a woman facing the death penalty.

Pretrial publicity has made it impossible for Latoya Smith to get a fair trial in connection with the beating death of a 2-year-old girl last year, said her lead defense attorney, Craig Henry of Texarkana.

Judge Leon F. Pesek Jr. of the 202nd District will rule on the request for a change of venue once the Bowie County District Attorney’s Office has either filed an opposition or consented to trying the case outsid...

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