JULY 6, 2023
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
EAT A PEACH
People waited patiently in the hot sun to get local peaches from the Bennett Orchards stand at last Sunday’s farmers market in Berlin. Peaches and blueberries are in right now, with more fresh produce on the way as the season deepens.
Knupp case defendants seek venue change Circuit court motions filed but judge has yet to decide on request from accused By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (July 6, 2023) July 11 will mark one year since the hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of 14year-old Ocean Pines resident Gavin Knupp.
In the months since, the Knupp family has formed a charity in his honor, the community and many local businesses have posted signs calling for justice and the Worcester County courts have scheduled a trial date for suspected driver Tyler Mailloux, a 22-year-old Berlin resident. Now, citing all the publicity and social media commentary about the case, attorneys for Mailloux are asking the court for a change of venue.
The motion asking for the change was filed by Mailloux’s attorneys on June 16. The defense claims in the motion that the widespread publicity given to the incident locally has created prejudice against Mailloux across Worcester County. Mailloux’s attorneys argue that because of the news coverage, road signs, public demonstrations, harassment of Mailloux and his family, and social media presence like that of the
Do It For Gavin Facebook group, the defendant would not be able to receive a fair and impartial trial inside the county even with the vetting of jury members. In a response to the motion, the office of State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser argued that the defense’s argument fails to show that news coverage has been consistently negative toward the defendant and that many of the stoSee YEAR Page 10
The Area’s Premier Physical Therapy Clinic
NOW 2 Great Locations to Serve You! Spelled Different Because We Are Different® FYZICAL-DELMARVA.COM
Fyzical of Ocean Pines 11204 Racetrack Rd, Suite 101 • Ocean Pines, MD, 21811 410-208-1525
Fyzical of West Ocean City 12472 Sea Oaks Ln, Unit 1 • Berlin, MD 21811 410-747-3522