A man accused of firing at least 15 shots at an Indianapolis police officer's home and squad car told a judge that he wants his trial moved out of Marion County.
"I would like a change of venue," March Ratney told Marion Superior Court Commissioner James Snyder during a hearing Friday. "I don't feel like I'm going to get a fair trial with all the media reporting my background. That's all they got is my background."
Snyder, who moments before had appointed public defender Mason Riley to the case, told Ratney that was a "good issue" to raise when he meets with his attorney.
Police say Ratney, 27, went to the east-side home of an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer early Tuesday and fired more than a dozen shots at the officer's home and car.
The officer, a 10-year veteran of the force, was home after working a night shift when a bullet whizzed near the window about 2:25 a.m., police said. His wife and child were asleep. No one was injured.
The shooting came just days after a sniper shot and killed five Dallas police officers.
Ratney was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and criminal recklessness. Prosecutors could pursue a habitual offender enhancement because of Ratney's criminal record.
Ratney's criminal past has been the subject of reports in IndyStar and other media.
A week before police say he fired shots at the officer's home, Ratney told his parole officer that "you cops are the devil," according to court documents.
Ratney, prosecutors say, has made repeated threats to law enforcement officers.