Trial venue moved for accomplice in shooting of Millard deputy

A 4th District Court judge has decided to move Monday's trial of an alleged accomplice in the slaying of Millard County sheriff's Deputy Josie Fox to neighboring Juab County.

An attorney for Ruben Chavez-Reyes had argued he could not get a fair trial if the venue were not changed.

Judge David Eyre responded by moving the four-day trial to Nephi.

Chavez-Reyes, 37, is charged with obstructing justice and four other felonies for allegedly helping Roberto Miramontes Roman flee after Roman allegedly shot and killed Fox during a 1 a.m. traffic stop on Jan. 5.

Roman, 38, is charged with capital murder and two other felonies. Roman's trial won't occur any sooner than next year.

Chavez-Reyes allegedly helped Roman flee to Salt Lake City. They both were arrested Jan. 6 by officers who found them sleeping in a tool shed in Beaver.

Fox had stopped Roman's car because the vehicle was allegedly involved in a drug deal minutes earlier.

Following his arrest, Roman told police that he grew angry at being pulled over because he thought "the only reason he was stopped was he was Mexican," according to preliminary hearing testimony. When Fox walked up and demanded his license and registration, Roman pointed the barrel of an AK-47 out his driver-side window and fired, he later told police.

shunt@sltrib.com