Oldham County man charged in deadly hit-and-run asks judge to move trial to another county

A man charged in Oldham County with murder in connection with a deadly hit-and-run has asked a court to move his trial to a different county, WLKY reported on Aug. 6, 2026. The motion, filed as part of the criminal proceedings, requests a change of venue and is intended to ensure the case is heard by a jury drawn from a community that can be impartial, the report said.

According to WLKY, the case centers on an incident prosecutors allege resulted in a death after a vehicle struck a person and left the scene. The defendant is facing a murder charge, a step that can significantly narrow the range of potential outcomes if the case proceeds to trial.

In Kentucky, a request to change venue is typically raised to address concerns that a defendant cannot receive a fair trial in the original county. Courts may consider factors such as whether potential jurors have been exposed to information from news coverage or other sources, and whether publicity or community sentiment could make it difficult to seat an impartial jury. A change of venue is not automatic, and judges generally weigh the request against practical considerations like court resources and the availability of jurors.

The WLKY report said the defendant is seeking transfer of the case away from Oldham County. The motion adds another procedural step to a case already at the serious end of the criminal system, where decisions about juries, admissible evidence, and trial logistics can affect how quickly a case is resolved and how communities participate in the process.

Prosecutors, which would oppose the request if they believe a fair jury can still be seated in the original venue, would be expected to argue that the change is unnecessary or that concerns can be handled through jury screening and courtroom safeguards. Courts also often use jury selection procedures to test prospective jurors for bias, including questions about their knowledge of the case and any prior opinions.

Next steps in the matter depend on how the presiding judge rules on the change-of-venue request. If granted, the trial would proceed in the selected county’s courts, requiring coordination of witnesses, evidence handling, and pretrial deadlines. If denied, the case would continue in Oldham County with jury selection and other pretrial motions scheduled around the court’s timetable.