Attorney asks for change of venue for Officer Daniel Ellis murder trial

RICHMOND,Ky (WTVQ) – A defense attorney has asked for a change of venue for the murder trial of a Richmond police officer.

Raliegh Sizemore and Gregory Ratliff are facing the death penalty after being charged with the murder of Officer Daniel Ellis.

Ellis was killed in November 2015 while investigating a robbery.

The motion for a venue change was made in a Madison County courtroom during a status hearing for the trial that is set to begin in July 2018.

A survey was completed in Fayette and Madison County to learn more about potential jurors  and if they could be fair.

During the hearing Friday morning the results of that survey were given to the Commonwealth’s attorney to review until the next court hearing on October 27.

Two other suspects accused of being involved in the murder have already pled guilty and have been sentenced in the case.

In August – 37-year-old Carl Banks was sentenced to 4 years in prison after he pleading guilty to three charges related to the robbery, Officer Ellis was investigating when he was killed.

The charges are wanton endangerment, criminal facilitation to attempted robbery and jumping bail.

According to police – Banks drove Sizemore away from the scene after the robbery attempt.

In May – Rita Creech, 46 pled guilty to charges of wanton endangerment and criminal facilitation to attempt first degree robbery.

In June she was sentenced to probation.

Tthe Commonwealth’s attorney says Creech agreed to testify against Sizemore and Ratliff as part of her plea deal.