FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The trial for a man accused of killing a Grace City man after a street dance in McHenry is being moved to Richland County.

A judge approved a change of venue for the trial of Shannon Brandt.

Brandt’s attorney, Mark Friese, says the trial is being moved because of pretrial publicity concerns and because Foster County has a small jury pool, whose members are more likely to know the people involved in the case.

Brandt is charged with the murder of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson.

The case drew national attention when some initial reports suggested Brandt’s comments to officers during his arrest indicated Ellingson’s death was politically motivated, but Highway Patrol investigators have denied those claims.

Brandt is under house arrest and electronic monitoring but has been serving his detention somewhere other than at his primary residence.

His trial is scheduled to be held in Wahpeton from May 30 until June 9.