Jury trial in police killing case to remain in Kootenai County

COEUR D’ALENE – A northern Idaho judge has ruled that the jury trial for a man accused of killing a Coeur d’Alene police officer will remain in Kootenai County.

Judge Lansing Haynes rejected a defense motion on Thursday to move the trial to Ada County in southwest Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Press reported.

Jonathan Renfro, 26, is charged with first-degree murder, grand theft, removing a law-enforcement officer’s firearm, concealing evidence, robbery and eluding police in connection to the May 2015 shooting death of Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore.

The 1st District Court judge ruled that evidence presented doesn’t prove Renfro can’t receive a fair trial in Kootenai County.

“This court specifically finds that the bulk of publicity in this case, as presented by Renfro, consists of accurate representations of the allegations leading to the charges against Renfro, and accurate representations of the various procedural stages of the case,” Haynes wrote in his decision.

Haynes also cited a public opinion poll that shows that a majority of the 400 Kootenai County residents contacted had some knowledge of the case, which he said was not surprising. He wrote that he did not think awareness was enough to believe that residents chosen as jurors would not cast aside their opinions and preconceptions on the case while they serve.

Haynes also mentioned that there have been no media campaigns asking that Renfro receive the death penalty.

Jurors are scheduled to hear the case in September.