Parnell´s Change of Venue Request Denied

A judge has denied Kenneth Parnell´s request to move his trial for allegedly trying to buy a child.

Parnell was responsible for one of the most infamous kidnappings in California, the 1972 abduction of Steven Stayner. Stayner did not escape until 1980, when he went to the police with a 5-year-old boy Parnell also kidnapped.

Parnell was paroled to Berkeley in 1985.

He was arrested earlier this year after allegedly trying to buy a 4-year-old boy for $500. He´s charged with soliciting to commit a felony, trying to buy a human being and attempting child stealing.

Parnell´s lawyer asked to move the trial from Alameda County because of extensive publicity. But Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jon Rolefson today pointed out that Parnell voluntarily gave media interviews while in custody.