Upcoming trial for former Prince George school administrator accused of child sex crimes to move out of area

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The upcoming trial in two of the three cases involving a former Prince George County Public Schools administrator accused of child sex crimes will move to a court outside of the area after a hearing on Thursday.

A pre-trial motion hearing was held for two of the child sex crimes cases involving William Barnes Jr. in Prince George County Circuit Court on Thursday, Feb. 12, during which a judge ruled that his trial, slated to begin March 16, will be moved to a court in a different part of Virginia.

Both the prosecution and defense supported the venue change, citing, in part, widespread local media coverage of Barnes' case that could impact the jury, and Barnes' being "entrenched in the community."

The judge first suggested Greensville, but the defense argued the case needed to be moved out of the Richmond viewing area altogether.

Sussex and Surry counties were considered as possible venues during the hearing, but were decided against. A venue has not yet been chosen.

Counsel acknowledged that the change in venue would likely result in a delay of the trial date.

In this case, Barnes faces one count of aggravated sexual battery of a child ages 13 to 14, by force, which allegedly took place in the 1980s.

Another trial in a third case against Barnes is currently slated for this July, deals with a charge listed as "sex offense: type not clear."

This comes after a mistrial was declared in the first case against Barnes on Jan. 8 after four days in court, in which twelve witnesses testified, including the accuser, a forensic psychologist, another person who alleged abuse by Barnes, the accuser's estranged spouse and both of the accuser's adult children.

Barnes was originally facing nine charges when the January trial began, but the jury ended up deliberating over six charges after some charges were dismissed on Jan. 7 and on Jan. 8.