Dogfighting suspect requests change of venue

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Steve Walsh, attorney for Curtis Pickering, filed a motion this week for a change of venue.

The motion was taken up Wednesday by Judge Stephen Sharp and has been sent to the Missouri Supreme Court to assign a special judge. That judge will then come to Stoddard County and hear the motion for change of venue.

Pickering, 28 of South Fulton, Tenn., was arrested in connection with an Oct. 21 raid on a residence in rural Stoddard County.

He faces two charges of the class D felony of dogfighting. The charges are punishable by up to five years in prison for each charge.

Two of the dogs seized in the raid have been attributed to Pickering as a result of an interview with the owner of the property, Jamie D. Sifford of Dudley, who has also been charged.

Authorities found a videotape they claim shows Pickering and one of the dogs seized in a fight at his residence in Tennessee.

Law enforcement officials in Tennessee have said Pickering will face separate charges at home in relation to evidence found at his residence. That decision will be made when a grand jury convenes in January.

Pickering remains in Stoddard County Jail for a bond of $50,000.

Sifford's bond is set at $125,000 and he also remains in jail.

Jessey Short, 30 of Cape Girar-deau, posted a $125,000 bond Nov. 2.

Short and Sifford will return to court Thursday.