The attorney for former Hosanna Church Pastor Louis Lamonica argued in court Monday that his client can’t receive a fair trial in Tangipahoa Parish.

WWL-TV

Louis Lamonica

Lamonica is charged with four counts of aggravated rape of a juvenile.

Attorney Michael Thiel made several references to a story on Eyewitness News, which aired in February and featured an extensive interview with Nicole Bernard, the former wife of a man already convicted of three counts of rape of a juvenile in connection with Hosanna Church. Trey Bernard is currently serving three life sentences in Angola.

“Because of the extensive publicity in this case, my client cannot get a fair trial,” he said.

Assistant District Attorney Don Wall argued, fair juries have been seated in many high profile cases.

Judge Zoey Waguespack said she would rule on the change of venue motion next week. 

Waguespack also ruled that videotaped interviews with the boy victims can be shown in court.

The tapes were also shown at Trey Bernard's trial.

Lamonica's trial is scheduled to begin August 18.

Five other former Hosanna Church members await trial, after Lamonica.