The Asotin County Prosecutor’s Office says it believes an impartial jury can be found in the upcoming civil commitment trial of convicted rapist Monte Hoisington.
Responding to a change of venue motion filed by Hoisington’s attorney, Prosecutor Ben Nichols said pretrial publicity has not risen to such a level that a change should be granted. He noted that any reporting on the case has been factual and noninflammatory in nature; it has not permeated the community; and sufficient time has elapsed between when the crimes were committed and the anticipated trial so as to dull any community reaction to the publicity.
Hoisington’s lawyer, Dale Slack filed a motion for a change of venue recently, citing inflammatory news coverage and extreme, visceral and violent public opinion against his client that creates a substantial reason to believe an impartial trial cannot be conducted in the LC Valley.
The 60-year-old Hoisington was convicted of two Lewiston rapes in 1977 and an Asotin County rape in 1991. He is confined at the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island in western Washington as a sexually violent predator.
Judge William Acey will make a determination on the change-of-venue motion January 30th. Hoisington’s status as a sexually violent predator is scheduled to be reviewed during proceedings set to begin February 14th in Asotin County.
Once committed, sexually violent predators are entitled to annual reviews. In 2010 Hoisington began the current action requesting his unconditional release.
