Fisher trial won’t be moved

The trial of former state Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher will take place Feb. 6, 2006, as scheduled. Oklahoma County District Judge Susan Caswell denied two motions filed by Fisher’s attorneys attempting to get the trial moved, according to the state attorney general’s office.

Caswell denied Fisher’s change of venue motion and upheld the state’s bribery charge after denying claims that the defendant could not receive a fair trial in Oklahoma County and that the state had engaged in selective and vindictive prosecution.

“I am pleased the judge recognized these motions for what they were,” Attorney General Edmondson said. “Fisher has tried every legal maneuver in the books to evade trial on these charges. We will continue to fight any future attempts at delay and remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice.”

Fisher, named in Multicounty Grand Jury indictments in February, July and October 2004,faces charges of bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion, perjury, charity fraud and failure to pay over money to the state.