Lawyers for accused wife killer make 3rd attempt to block death penalty

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Lawyers for a St. Johns County man accused of killing his wife and her friend in 2015 are trying, for a third time, to prevent the State Attorney's Office from seeking the death penalty if he's convicted.

James Colley Jr. is charged in the murders of his wife, Amanda Colley, and her friend, Lindy Dobbins. He faces five other charges.

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On Wednesday, Colley's lawyers filed a motion asking a judge to find Florida's death penalty is still unconstitutional, despite recent changes by the Legislature.

Another defense motion seeks a change of venue. 

An affidavit signed by Colley says, "It is not possible for me to get a fair and impartial trial in St. Johns County, Florida, because there is a great deal of prejudice against me."

His lawyers tell the judge they expect the "enormous amount of pretrial publicity" to continue in the media. 

There's a hearing set for October on the new motions. 


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