The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:35 PM

One Of Three Men Accused Of Killing Fulton Football Player Zaevion Dobson Asks For Change In Venue

(SOURCE: WVLT) - One of the three men accused of killing Fulton football player Zaevion Dobson asked for a change in venue Friday ahead of their upcoming first-degree murder trial.

Christopher Bassett made the request to Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steve Sword. He said the case was too high-profile to be tried in Knox County.

Sword said he would consider whether to allow new evidence that could implicate gang activity for Bassett, Kipling Colbert Jr. and Richard Williams III. Prosecutors said video evidence depicts the men singing a gang-related song. Sword was expected to decide whether to allow the new evidence on or before Nov. 3.

The trial is still scheduled to begin on Dec. 4. All three men face first degree murder charges in the 2015 death of Dobson, who was shot while shielding two friends from gunfire. Dobson's final act garnered national attention, including praise from former President Barack Obama.

Dobson was honored posthumously with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2016 ESPY Awards.