Change of venue hearing in Devlin case is delayed

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) -- A change of venue hearing in Washington County for the man accused of kidnapping Shawn Hornbeck had been delayed until Oct. 1.

Ethan Corlija, an attorney for Michael Devlin, said he sought a continuance of the hearing, which was originally scheduled for Monday morning.

The hearing will determine which county will be picked to provide a jury in the case against 41-year-old Devlin, who is charged with kidnapping, attempted murder and abuse of Shawn Hornbeck in Washington County in 2002.

Corlija said he and his partner Michael Kielty want a jury to be selected from large metropolitan areas of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or Jackson County, which includes the Kansas City metro area.

Washington County Prosecuting Attorney John Rupp said he wants a jury to come from a rural county near Shawn's hometown of Richwoods. Rupp did not return a message seeking comment Monday morning.

Police officers rescued Shawn on Jan. 12, when they searched Devlin's apartment and also found 13-year-old William "Ben" Ownby, who had disappeared four days earlier in Franklin County.

Devlin faces more than 80 charges in St. Louis County, Franklin County and federal court for kidnapping and abusing the boys.

Devlin is being currently being held in St. Louis County, where he will be arraigned Sept. 19 on 71 counts of kidnapping and abuse.

Corlija said he and Kielty are visiting frequently with Devlin and reviewing evidence that state and federal authorities have collected in the case.