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According to Associated Press, a federal judge has let Blankenship view the jury selection transcript from the case that resulted in a three-year prison sentence for former UBB security chief Hughie Elbert Stover in 2012 – who was found to have made false statements and obstructed a federal investigation.
Blankenship’s legal team is also reportedly concerned about where the jury comes from.
“Blankenship is charged with conspiring to violate safety and health standards at the mine,” AP reported.
“He faces up to 31 years in prison if convicted. Blankenship’s lawyers want the case moved out of southern West Virginia, saying he can’t get a fair trial there.”
An underground gas explosion, believed to have been further fuelled by the ignition of coal dust, killed 29 miners at the UBB longwall mine in West Virginia in April 2010.
Alpha Natural Resources acquired Massey in mid-2011.
