Defense: Greene Co. residents prejudiced against Hagood

An attorney for the man accused of shooting a Springfield police officer in the head last month asked for the case to be moved out of Greene County, but the judge said no — for now, anyway.

Joshua L. Hagood, 32, is facing charges of assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property in connection with the shooting of Springfield police officer Aaron Pearson on Jan. 26.

On Monday, Hagood's attorney — Jon Van Arkel — filed a motion requesting a change of venue for the trial, saying Greene County residents are prejudiced against Hagood and the amount of pretrial publicity would make it impossible for Hagood to receive a fair trial.

Judge David Jones denied the change of venue request on Tuesday but said the court will reconsider Hagood's request again prior to the trial.

Change of venue requests are automatically granted in counties with fewer than 75,000 inhabitants, but Greene County is much larger.

Hagood has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held in Greene County Jail without bond.

Police believe Hagood shot Pearson when the officer was investigating suspicious activity near the intersection of Chestnut Expressway and Glenstone Avenue in Springfield in the early morning hours of Jan. 26. Hagood was arrested hours after the shooting hiding in a fenced-in lot about 200 yards away from where Pearson was shot, according to police.

Pearson suffered a career-ending brain injury, and he is recovering at a rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, according to police.