A District Court Judge has granted a request by the defense attorney in the case of 30-year old Leatha Kaye Slauson, to have her trial moved out of Cass County. The Atlantic woman is accused of faking her daughter’s cancer and endangering her life by administering drugs and a feeding tube. She’s also accused of theft by deception for soliciting funds for her daughter’s treatment. Her trial is now set to begin 9:30-a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18th, in Mills County District Court.

Leatha Slauson enters the courtroom for a hearing 11/10/14 (Ric Hanson/photo)

In last month’s motion for a Change of Venue, Slauson Attorney Jay Mez said the woman’s trial should be moved for a number of reasons, including extensive media coverage. Mez reiterated those same contentions Monday morning in Cass County District Court.  He said a limited jury pool resulting from the extensive media coverage, and allegations that the community was the victim in this case, make getting a fair and impartial trial in Cass County impossible.

In his ruling, Judge Mark Eveloff agreed, saying if the court tried to pick a jury in Cass County next week and a mistrial is declared, it could be violating Slauson’s Right to a Speedy Trial.  He said there “Was such a degree of prejudice that would exist in Cass County that there would be a substantial likelihood of a fair and impartial trial that could not be preserved with the jury selected in Cass County.”

Eveloff selected Mills County because it is similar in size to Cass County. The Judge said the court will reconsider the conditions of Slauson’s bond next Monday, Nov. 17th at 9-a.m. Attorney Mez has stated he intends to use a defense of “Diminished Responsibility” when Slauson’s case comes before a jury. He said she was competent to stand trial, but unable to tell right from wrong.

Authorities say Slauson lied about her daughter having cancer, inserted a feeding tube into the 5-year-old girl and gave her drugs and cannabis oils. Slauson has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts, including assault, child endangerment and theft by deception.