New trial considered in Ephrata teen murder
A judge has denied a request to move the re-trial for a man convicted as a teenager of killing a playmate in 2003.
The state Court of Appeals threw out Evan Savoie’s murder conviction in 2011 over a judge’s error.
His attorneys argued that publicity from the case would prevent a fair trial the second time. They urged the judge to move the trial from Grant County to Clark County.
Visiting Judge John Hotchkiss of Douglas County denied the request Friday.
Savoie was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the death of 13-year-old Craig Sorger in 2003. Sorger had been beaten and stabbed repeatedly.
Another boy testified against Savoie in a plea deal. Both boys were 12 years old at the time of the murder.
