MADISON COUNTY — The murder trial for Sammy Shafer Jr., accused of hiring a hit man to kill his wife's girlfriend, could be moved out of Madison County.

Claiming the jury pool in that county is tainted, defense lawyers for Shafer filed a motion last month for a change of venue.

They are asking that the trial be held outside of Madison County in order to find an impartial jury. No firm trial date has been set before Judge Tim Berkeley.

The judge had not ruled on the defense's change-of venue request, as of Thursday. The state's attorney has not filed a response.

Clayton defense attorney T.J. Matthes, who is working with Scott Rosenblum, filed the motion May 27.

Shafer, 36, of Caseyville, is charged w i t h first-degree murder and soliciting the murder of Portia Rowland, his romantic ri

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