I only did about a year and a half of criminal work and never faced a change of venue issue. So, I honestly am no more an expert on the subject than anyone else on here. I am certain the Court will have to take it up, probably early on, and whether it happens I have no clue.
The shootings immediately became a national event, strictly because of who was involved. Had this happened at some neighborhood party and no players and/or students been involved, it might have made the Montgomery paper and the only people talking about it would be a handful of Finebaum callers using it to stir the pot about Awbren. But the fact that it did involve Auburn students and players, it hit close to home. We feel like we have a connection to those people. Some of our own were attacked and killed. And I would imagine that the citizens of Auburn are not only upset about the losses of some of their own, but angry as hell over this Woosie Woo coming to the Lovliest Village and causing a massacre.
I do see some similarities with the Updyke case as I would have to think that those same Auburn citizens are angry as hell, as we all are, over this guy....a rival fan at that...coming into their town and not only destroying property, but stealing a time honored tradition. I can see James, or whoever, having a compelling argument to move the case. Whether it's allowed or not, I could only guess.