Attorneys for a Lower Macungie couple accused of starving and mistreating their twin sons asked a judge Tuesday to move the trial out of Lehigh County because of extensive pretrial publicity.
Judge James T. Anthony heard arguments on that and several other motions during the hearing Tuesday at the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Attorneys for Tracy and Joshua Dechant have requested a change of venue, which would move the trial to another county. They argue that publicity surrounding the case has made it difficult for the couple to receive a fair trial in Lehigh County. Attorneys presented nearly 40 examples of this coverage for evidence, including media articles and social media commentary.
Tracy Dechant, 43, the boys’ mother, and her husband, Joshua Dechant, 37, are charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit third-degree murder and other charges. The were charged last year, after one of the twins knocked on the door of a neighbor’s house asking for food, police said. The teens, both of whom were severely underweight for their ages, told authorities that they endured punishments including standing outside naked in the freezing cold and being denied food and water, according to court records.
Attorneys also discussed a defense request to use testimony from the three witnesses as evidence, specifically the doctor who initially examined one of the twins.
The defense is also seeking funding from the court to bring in a doctor from Connecticut to re-examine the twins.
Anthony did not rule on the motions. He gave attorneys for both sides until September to submit additional evidence, including information about media coverage and the potential influence of publicity. The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.