Adrian Gonzalez trial remains in Santa Cruz County – Santa Cruz Sentinel

SANTA CRUZ – Adrian “AJ” Gonzalez’s defense attorney failed to meet the burden of proof to move her client’s trial to another county, a judge ruled Thursday.

In making her decision, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy said she considered arguments related to the nature and severity of the case, the nature and extent of media coverage, the size of the community and the community status of Gonzalez and his victim, 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton.

“I have found the jurors in Santa Cruz County to be conscientious, interested, intelligent and committed to participating in democracy,” Guy said.

Defense attorney Athena Reis argued that the nature and severity of the 9-year-old case was an important basis for her motion to change venue. She called the facts of the case “incredibly inflammatory and inflammatory.”

“I can’t think of any other case that has captured the attention and emotions of the local community as much as the case being heard in court today,” Reis said of her experience as a local lawyer.

Reis added that she believes it would be “an impossible task” to find an unbiased jury to judge his rehabilitation.

Assistant District Attorney Tara George countered that the gravity and seriousness of the original charges against Gonzalez would remain regardless of which parish the trial would take place in. She argued that Gonzalez had no right to “forum shopping” and bore a high burden of proof to have the case moved.

“The fact that we suggest that this community cannot meet the challenge posed to us because of this crime is, frankly, an insult to the members of this community,” George said.