A new poll suggests that a man charged in the brutal death of a young Scottsville girl can’t get a fair trial in Allen or adjacent counties.
A random sample of residents in Warren, Barren, Simpson, Monroe, and Christian counties was taken to gauge their knowledge and opinions about the case of Timothy Madden. He’s charged in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of seven-year-old Gabbi Doolin in 2015.
Fifty-six percent of respondents in Warren County felt Madden was guilty of the crime and nearly 50 percent had the same opinion in Barren and Simpson counties. Farther away in Christian County, just 11 percent of those polled thought Madden was guilty.
Defense Attorney Travis Lock says the poll supports his claim that pre-trialpublicityis too great in Allen or neighboring counties.
"Public opinion in the adjoining counties is very similar to that which we found in Allen County, which we believed would be the the case, and that did turn out the case," Lock told WKU Public Radio. "I believe now more than ever that this case should be moved outside of this region."
The survey was conducted by the Social Science Research Center at at Western Kentucky University between September 25-October 8.
Madden was in court again Thursday for a pre-trial hearing. Allen Circuit Judge Janet Crocker set a change of venue hearing for November 17. Madden’s death penalty trial is set for February 26.
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