"Cases such as this involving widespread media coverage of a violent crime make selecting an impartial jury more difficult than in other cases," one motion said.
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Defense counsel for Andrew McGann files new motions related to witness, juror treatment
Legal representatives for accused Devil's Den killer Andrew McGann have filed eight new motions, some related to juror and witness procedures during his expected trial.
While a jury trial date has not yet been announced in the case, this recent slew of filings from April 24, 2026, is primarily focused on addressing behavior and procedures during the eventual trial.
These filings include a motion to have witnesses sequestered while at the courthouse, to require prosecutors to disclose relationships with prospective jurors, and to prevent juror exposure to witnesses and trial spectators.
At least one of the requests seek to keep jurors and witnesses from engaging in "improper contact" with each other.
"Given the nature of these proceedings and the sentencing decision the jurors may be asked to make, it is essential that steps be taken by the court to prevent any improper contact with jurors that could conceivably influence their decisions. This includes contact with witnesses, the media, or other trial attendees before and after court sessions and during breaks," one motion said.
The motion specifically asks that jurors have a designated location in the courthouse to report to immediately upon arrival each day, that jurors remain together throughout the day, and that a bailiff escort jurors out of the courthouse at the end of the day.
The defense said the requests were made in an attempt to keep the trial as fair as possible.
"Cases such as this involving widespread media coverage of a violent crime make selecting an impartial jury more difficult than in other cases," one motion said, adding the size of the surrounding community also makes jury selection difficult.
Other motions in the April 24 batch that weren't directly related to jurors and witnesses include a request for a bill of particulars specifying what the prosecution intends to argue when considering the death penalty and a request to prohibit emotional displays in the courtroom.
The prosecution has not yet filed any response to the motions.
These new filings are just the latest in a series of dozens that have been filed by the defense, many of which have been denied.
Perhaps the most consequential, a request to exclude the death penalty as a sentencing option, was denied in April.
McGann is set to appear in Washington County court on May 26.