Trial for 2 APD officers accused of killing James Boyd tentatively set for Aug. 15, 2016

The trial for two Albuquerque police officers accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of James Boyd in the Albuquerque foothills last year has been tentatively set for Aug. 15, 2016.

The trial for Keith Sandy and Dominique Perez is expected to last for three weeks, including one week for jury selection.

Prosecutors have said they will need four days to present their case; defense attorneys plan to use the rest of the time.

At a scheduling conference in Albuquerque Monday, there was also discussion of possibly changing the venue for the trial to Las Cruces, as the case has received major attention in Albuquerque.

However, no motion for a change-of-venue has been submitted at this time.

Sandy’s attorney, Sam Bregman, said the judge gave a December deadline to file a motion for a change of venue.

Bregman said he plans to file the motion and hopes to have the trial in Las Cruces – outside the Albuquerque media market at the very least.

An Albuquerque judge ruled on Aug. 18 the two men will stand trial for Boyd’s death. They both face second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges. Perez faces aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges and Sandy faces aggravated battery with great bodily harm charges, in addition to the murder charges.

Neither Sandy or Perez were in court Monday, which Judge Alisa Hadfield brought up because neither filed a motion to recuse their appearance.