Bench trial for Ashley White to begin Thursday in Pulaski Co.

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PULASKI COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A Pulaski County judge grants the change of venue request for Ashley White, but her trial will still happen in Pulaski County.

After an hour and a half of consideration, Judge Bradley Finch decided there was too much prejudice in Pulaski County to give White a fair trial.

He said 60% of the potential jurors were disqualified, and that is an extremely large percentage for any jury trial. Then, the prosecution immediately withdrew its request for a jury trial, which it made last year, and requested a bench trial.

The defense ultimately agreed with that. At just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, it was determined that Judge Finch will decide White's fate rather than a jury.

The bench trial will begin Thursday at 9:00 a.m. The prosecution said it believes facts are facts and Judge Finch will give both sides a fair trial.

The prosecution also said holding a jury trial in a different place would likely cost millions of dollars.