A ruling is expected this week on a change-of-venue request for the trial in connection with last summer’s shooting deaths at an Austin motel.

Wednesday, February 28, 2001

A ruling is expected this week on a change-of-venue request for the trial in connection with last summer’s shooting deaths at an Austin motel.

The attorney for one of three men charged in the June 30 shooting deaths of two men and the wounding of a third at the Downtown Motel is seeking the change of venue.

The attorney at the time for David Kenneth Christian, 28, of St. Paul, sought the change of venue after Mower County Third Judicial District Judge Donald E. Rysavy ruled three men who are defendants could be tried together.

Attorneys for all co-defendants in the case joined the argument, but were unsuccessful.

Also charged in connection with the crimes and slated to be tried together are Scott Perry Christian, 30, of St. Paul (brother of David Kenneth Christian) and Vernon Neal Powers, 28, of St. Paul.

Jenea Larae-Nichol Weinand, 19, of St. Paul, will be tried separately from the male defendants.

A Mower County grand jury returned a first-degree murder indictment on Aug. 3.

The co-defendants are accused of the June 30 premeditated shooting deaths of Juan Vincente Ramirez, 41, and Raul Pedro Guiterrez, 26, self-employed roofers from St. Paul who were staying at the Downtown Motel.

Benjamin Moreno Hernandez, 21, another roofer from St. Paul, was wounded in the shootings, but has recovered.

The botched robbery was witnessed by a 14-year-old cousin of the victims.

 

County Attorney Patrick A. Oman, who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of the state attorney general’s office, said Rysavy could rule Thursday on the change-of-venue request. He also said, "There is no reason at this time for a change of venue."

The request that three of the defendants be tried together was made by the state and the trial is scheduled to begin in Mower County District Court on April 9.

According to the grand jury’s indictment, the defendants also are charged with two counts of felony murder in the first degree, two counts of intentional murder in the second degree and assault in the first degree.

In addition, Vernon Neal Powers and Scott Perry Christian each were charged with an additional count of being a felon in possession of a pistol.

All of the first-degree murder charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. All counts of second-degree murder carry a maximum penalty of 40 years of imprisonment. Assault in the first degree carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and the charges of being a felon in possession of a pistol carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

Charges against another apparent accomplice, Janet Hall, 18, of St. Paul, were dismissed last August, because of a lack of evidence of active participation in the crimes. Hall remains classified as a material witness during her release under conditions of good behavior.