A Lincoln County Superior Court justice denied a Maine State Trooper’s motion for change of venue during a brief hearing May 26.
Gregory Vrooman, 45, Nobleboro, is charged with several counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, assault and tampering with a witness.
On May 26, Vrooman’s request was denied to move his trial to Sagadahoc County Court on the grounds that there is no substantive evidence that it will be impossible to find an impartial jury in Lincoln County.
Vrooman’s attorney, Michael Turndorf, argued that given Vrooman’s position as a state trooper patrolling Lincoln County for 20 years, and the extensive media attention the case has received, it will be difficult to find a jury in Lincoln County that does not have prior knowledge of Vrooman or the case.
Although the ruling does not preclude a change of venue in the future – and the matter may be reconsidered after an attempt to select a jury later this year – Hjelm said he’s “not sure the record shows it would be futile to try to find a jury” in Lincoln County.
