ALPENA — The attorney for Nicholas Skaluba filed a motion seeking a change of venue for Skaluba’s jury trial for sexual assault charges, which is scheduled to begin next week in Alpena.

Citing a story published in The Alpena News on May 4, combined with strong community sentiment, defense attorney Matt Wojda requested in a motion filed Monday that the trial be moved out of the area for the sake of jury impartiality and security.

Media coverage of the case has been heavy, with dozens of news stories printed and published online in the past two years.

Both the prosecution and the defense have in the past expressed concerns about media coverage affecting the the court’s ability to seat an impartial jury locally.

Wojda’s motion comes after a News story referenced the possibility of protests being held following the trial, depending on the verdict. That statement, Wojda contended, in conjunction with extensive social media attention that has had negative overtones, may sway potential jurors into not making a decision purely on the merits of the case as presented before the court.

Dozens of people demonstrated downtown in October after Tommy Hein, in a case related to Skaluba’s, received a sentence that many people thought was too light.

Judge George Mertz, the 46th Circuit Court judge handling the case after 26th Circuit Court Judge Michael Mack recused himself, is considering the motion.

A decision is expected today.

Skaluba, 22, is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

He was arrested after two juvenile girls claimed they were drugged and assaulted by Skaluba and Hein, during a series of summer 2016 parties in Alpena.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com.