Calf. judge rejects change of venue for trial of man accused of killing Angels pitcher

Change of venue denied in Adenhart death trial

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A California judge has rejected a bid for a change of venue for the trial of suspected drunken driver accused of killing of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others.

Orange Count Superior Court Judge Richard Toohey on Friday denied the motion by defendant Andrew Thomas Gallo’s defense.

The judge says Orange County has millions of residents and a fair jury can be found.

Gallo is charged with three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Adenhart and friends Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson.

Police say Gallo’s blood-alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit at the time of the April 2009 crash in Fullerton. Adenhart was out with friends after pitching six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics in nearby Anaheim.