BURLINGTON, Vt.—Attorneys for the Randolph man charged with sexually assaulting and killing his niece want the case to be tried in Vermont state court.
Michael Jacques is facing federal charges in the 2008 death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree. Federal prosecutors have said they are going to seek the death penalty against Jacques.
But Jacques' attorney, Jean Barrett, told the Burlington Free Press the federal court can only try matters that cross state lines. The Bennett case took place entirely within Vermont.
The state of Vermont has no death penalty.
Jacques is charged with plotting to abduct and kill his niece.
Federal prosecutors could not be reached for comment.
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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
