Man accused of Flint airport stabbing wants to move trial to Detroit

FLINT (AP) - Prosecutors are opposing efforts to move the trial of a man who is accused of stabbing a police officer at the Flint airport.

Amor Ftouhi wants to shift his trial to Detroit federal court. His lawyer says the jury pool in southeastern Michigan is large, and many people in the region probably weren't exposed to news about the dramatic attack.

In response Monday, federal prosecutors say Ftouhi has failed to show that publicity about the stabbing has spoiled the jury pool in the Flint area.

Ftouhi is a native of Tunisia who lives in Montreal. Investigators say he stabbed Lt. Jeff Neville while yelling "Allahu Akbar," the Arabic phrase for "God is great." Neville survived.

A trial currently is planned in Flint federal court on Nov. 5.

Published: Thu, Aug 30, 2018