Change of venue possible in Elgin murder trial

A Streamwood woman accused of running down and killing an Elgin teen with her car may try to have her murder trial moved out of Kane County, her attorney said Friday.

"It depends on media coverage," defense attorney Liam Dixon said, noting the case already has received widespread attention that could potentially influence a jury.

Timera D. Branch, 33, faces first-degree murder charges in the Nov. 8 death of 17-year-old John W. Keyes III, who died after he was crushed against an apartment building on the 200 block of Center Street.

Dixon, who said Branch intends to plead not guilty, criticized authorities for allowing the public release of police affidavits that say Branch's 16-year-old old son beat Keyes in the head with a baseball bat after Keyes was struck, and that her sister and other son, 13, were in the vehicle with her. Dixon said he has yet to see the affidavits, which were covered in the Daily Herald and other media outlets this week.

"So far, the release of information has obviously been one-sided, I'm assuming there's more information and I believe it won't be as flattering to the state as it has been so far," Dixon said. "Everybody wants to influence the jury pool."

Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.

The killing happened, according to Keyes' relatives, a day after Keyes punched Branch's 16-year-old son in a feud over a girl.

As of Friday, the mother of three was the only person charged in Keyes' death, but authorities said the investigation continues. Branch remained in the Kane County jail on $1 million bond. Her next court date is Jan. 7.