Embattled former Massey Energy executive Don Blankenship is reportedly asking for a one-year delay in his federal felony case as well as a move of the trial’s venue, arguing that he will not get a fair trial.
According to the Associated Press, Blankenship’s attorney William Taylor had not filed the move request as of December 17, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ruby said he was confident it was possible to locate a fair jury in southern West Virginia.
Blankenship’s legal team also argued that the upcoming trial date of January 26 would be impossible, as research still needs to be done, including taking polls, conducting interviews and obtaining years of newspaper coverage. Federal prosecutors disagreed, the AP reported, dictating that only a short delay, if any, would be allowed.
The 64-year-old former executive pleaded not guilty to all counts in a Beckley, West Virginia, federal court November 20. He is facing up to 31 years in prison for conspiracy to violate mandatory federal mine safety and health standards, conspiracy to impede federal mine safety officials, making false statements to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and securities fraud.
Blankenship is currently free on bond but his travel has been limited.
A majority of the former Massey CEO’s charges tie directly to his involvement with the company in the wake of the Upper Big Branch mine blast in April 2010 that killed 29 workers.
A copy of Blankenship’s November indictment can be found here.
