Trial for Idaho man accused of killing 5-year-old boy moved ‘to avoid bias’
The high-profile trial of an Idaho man accused of killing a 5-year-old boy who disappeared from his front yard almost five years ago will be moving 30 miles down the road.
Third Judicial District Judge Brent Whiting granted a change of venue request to move the case to Canyon County from Payette County “to avoid bias in the community.”
Stacey Wondra’s public defenders, along with the Payette County Prosecutor’s Office, asked the presiding judge to relocate the case because a “fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Payette County,” according to a two-page request for a venue change that was filed Monday.
The attorneys also cited the “extensive” media coverage of the case, which they wrote has been exacerbated by the fact that the boy’s body never was found.
“This case involved a community-wide search for Michael Vaughan, that included countless numbers of citizens that live in Payette County,” attorneys for both side wrote. “Payette County does not have a large enough population center to avoid the bias in the community; however, Canyon County does.”
While requests to move a court case aren’t a common practice, they aren’t completely uncommon either. Several other high-profile criminal cases, including murder cases involving University of Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger, and convicted killers Lori and Chad Daybell, were moved to Ada County.
Wondra, along with his then-wife Sarah Wondra, lived less than half a mile away from Michael’s home when he disappeared on July 27, 2021. The Wondras, along with two prior roommates, were named as people of interest in the case in 2022, but only Stacey Wondra has been charged in the boy’s killing.
Back in March, after a multiday preliminary hearing — which saw testimony from nearly a dozen witnesses and hours of newly released body-camera footage — 3rd District Magistrate Judge Brian Lee agreed there was probable cause the 33-year-old kidnapped and killed Michael. Wondra was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping in the second degree, destruction of evidence and a persistent violator enhancement, which can be added by prosecutors when someone has been convicted of at least three felonies.
“The question before the court is not whether or not Mr. Wondra is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt — that is not the purpose of a preliminary hearing, that will be up to a jury,” Lee said at the time. “But I do find there is probable cause to support these charges.”
The case then was forwarded to district court. Wondra pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his jury trial was set for September. That trial date has now been canceled with the case being moved to the Canyon County Courthouse in Caldwell.
Wondra will remain in custody at the Payette County Jailinstead of being moved to the Canyon County jail, according to court filings. He’ll be transported by the Payette County Sheriff’s Office to hearings as needed, the filings added.
