Can Lam Luong Get A Fair Trial?

Escorted by six officers and wearing a bullet proof vest, 37-year-old Lam Luong was back in court Friday.

The capital murder suspect is accused of throwing his four young children one-by-one off the Dauphin Island Bridge in January.

Luong's trial is not set to begin until March 9th of next year, but Friday morning, Judge Charles Graddick heard several pre-trial motions.

Graddick agreed to allow the defense to conduct a public opinion poll in Mobile County to determine whether a fair trial can take place here. Among the questions on the poll is whether "you believe most people in Mobile County think Lam Luong is guilty." Prosecutors objected to the question, saying no one can possibly know what "most people in Mobile County" think, but Judge Graddick says he'll allow the pollster, Dr. Vern Kennedy, to determine what questions will be asked.

Graddick says he will take the survey into consideration when he rules on a change of venue motion in February. Nonetheless, Graddick insists the court will find 100 potential jurors and Mobile County and question each of the jurors individually. Graddick says their answers during the jury selection will be the deciding factor in whether the trial should be moved.

The poll, as well as all of Luong's defense, will be paid for by taxpayers.

Prosecutors also asked the judge to reconsider appointing an interperter for Luong. District Attorney John Tyson asked Graddick to listen to several audio tapes he says shows Luong's understanding of the English language. The judge agreed to hear the tape behind closed doors, but said he will likely allow Luong to keep his interperter.