Blankenship Wants Trial Moved

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship is again asking a judge to move his criminal trial out of southern West Virginia. In a Beckley federal court filing Thursday, Blankenship’s attorneys say southern West Virginia has been saturated with negative media coverage about his case. The filing says he can’t get a fair jury and trial in southern West Virginia, and his case should be moved to Martinsburg or northern Maryland. Previously, Judge Irene Berger moved the case from Beckley to Charleston. Blankenship’s trial begins Oct. 1. Blankenship is charged with violating mine safety standards at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, where a 2010 explosion killed 29 men.