Hardwick v. State

Hunt, Chief Justice.

This is a case in which the state is seeking the death penalty. We granted Kenneth Hardwick’s application for interlocutory appeal to review the trial court’s rulings regarding Hardwick’s motion for change of venue.

In November 1992, Hardwick filed a motion for change of venue alleging that due to extensive pre-trial publicity an impartial jury could not be obtained in Gwinnett County to try his case. The parties discussed with the trial court several other venues, including Bibb and Chatham counties. Pursuant to OCGA § 17-7-150 (a), the district attorney and Hardwick’s…