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February 7, 2006Watson seeks change of venue in neglect-of-duty trialTreasurer cites 'considerable publicity'TRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township's treasurer says community sentiment is so strong against her that getting a fair trial on charges she neglected her duties as a public officer would be impossible.Debora Watson, 45, filed a change of venue motion asking 86th District Judge John Foresman to move her trial out of Grand Traverse County because of "considerable publicity" regarding her case and financial high jinks in the township. Watson was charged in November with willful neglect of duty as a public officer for allegedly failing to "take charge" of township money as treasurer after former clerk Janice Gee was charged with embezzlement in June 2005. Prosecutor Alan Schneider said the complaint against Watson has been amended to add three additional charges of neglect, each punishable by up to a year in jail. Gee, 60, convicted in January on nine charges of felony embezzlement, was ordered last week to serve 11 months in jail and pay East Bay $120,000 in restitution. A hearing on Watson's motion is set to be heard by Foresman on Feb. 10. Watson "fears" the publicity and "strong" sentiment of the community - including a current recall attempt - will prevent her from getting a fair trial in the county, according to 86th District Court records. Schneider, in a response filed with the court, argued that the local courts have "favored" the practice of making an attempt to impanel a jury - often by drawing on a larger pool - before ruling on a change of venue motion. Gee's attorney James Hunt made a similar motion to 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers, who ruled that the court would first make an attempt to seat a local jury, which it did. Schneider said Watson and attorney Philip Settles have not demonstrated an extent of "widespread community bitterness" required to prove prejudice of a potential jury pool. See Related Stories: Gee is given 11 months - February 4, 2006 Breaking News: Gee sentenced to 11 months - February 3, 2006 Gee ordered to return retirement benefits - January 27, 2006 Township appoints new clerk - January 18, 2006 Ex-supervisor sentenced - January 18, 2006 No more paychecks for felon Janice Gee - January 13, 2006 Jury finds Gee guilty - January 12, 2006 Forensic accountant testifies against Gee - January 11, 2006 Gee trial set for Tuesday - January 9, 2006 East Bay treasurer faces court hearing - January 6, 2006 Embattled clerk removes desk, triggers burglar alarm - January 4, 2006 Gee paid $23,000 for doing little work - December 22, 2005 Township might not recoup its losses - December 15, 2005 Residents are not as forgiving of Bartko as officials - December 15, 2005 Bartko pleads guilty - December 14, 2005 Audit reveals special assessment district mess - December 11, 2005 Gee will stand trial next month - December 10, 2005 Accountants missed many red flags - December 4, 2005 Other townships pondering changes - December 4, 2005 Bartko hears felony counts - November 29, 2005 Two more face charges in financial scandal - November 23, 2005 News Break: Ex-supervisor, current treasurer charged - November 22, 2005 Records show township paid planner from U.P. - November 13, 2005 Signature goal reached for recalls - November 9, 2005 East Bay Township probe widens - October 27, 2005 Bid for state's assistance in removing Gee falls short - October 12, 2005 East Bay recall petition drive thriving - October 11, 2005 Gee trial delayed as prosecution continues to build case - October 1, 2005 Audit: East Bay Township clerk took $62K - September 28, 2005 Residents demand answers from East Bay board - September 16, 2005 Audit may result in more charges - September 14, 2005 East Bay residents to circulate petitions - September 3, 2005 East Bay finances: 'Little stuff' totals thousands - August 28, 2005 Prosecutor says East Bay probe may widen - August 26, 2005 Former supervisor likely purchased personal items - August 21, 2005 East Bay Township clerk is back to work - August 21, 2005 More money may be missing in East Bay - August 16, 2005 Lile suggests shutting down East Bay government - July 22, 2005 East Bay Township supervisor expects 'real ugly' meeting - July 22, 2005 East Bay assessor to be paid as fate is determined - July 12, 2005 Errors pile up in review of East Bay records - July 10, 2005 Public backs East Bay probe leading to arrest of clerk - June 28, 2005 East Bay Township clerk charged with embezzlement - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
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