Legal Setback for ‘Person of Interest’ in Wetterling Case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal magistrate judge says the man authorities have called a "person of interest" in the unsolved kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling should not get a change of venue in his child pornography case.

Danny Henrich's lawyers tried to get his trial moved from Minnesota because of intense media coverage. But U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois on Tuesday recommended against a change of venue. He also recommended against suppressing evidence seized from Heinrich's home along with statements he made to investigators.

The final decision is up to District Judge John Tunheim.

Heinrich is due to go on trial next month on 25 child pornography counts. The 53-year-old Annandale man has pleaded not guilty. He is not charged in the Wetterling case and continues to deny any involvement in the 1989 abduction.