A change of venue motion could be in the works for Seneca murder defendant Keith Mackowiak.

The La Salle County Public Defender's Office, which is representing Mackowiak, subpoenaed The Times — the letter containing the subpoena was postmarked Nov. 13 — to provide copies of all stories about Mackowiak since July 2007. The 42-year-old Mackowiak was charged that month with murdering Katherine and Aloysius Twardowski July 11, 2007, at their rural Seneca home.

The copies were to be provided by Friday. The Times compiled the copies Tuesday and were to deliver them to the public defender's office before the deadline. After receiving the subpoena via mail, The Times called the public defender's office Monday, suggesting they themselves search The Times' Web site archives for the stories, instead of having The Times do it and charge for it. The office declined the suggestion, preferring The Times do it and charge. The bill was $25.

Since the murders, The Times has published 67 articles — including this article — about Mackowiak; before the murders, Mackowiak's name appeared nine times regarding other run-ins with police. Among the other news organizations receiving a similar subpoena was the La Salle News-Tribune. Several other newspapers and radio stations, as well as a few television stations, also have reported on the case.

In December 2008, Public Defender Tim Cappellini first mentioned in court the possibility he would seek a change of venue.When a defendant asks for a change of venue, they are asking to have their case handled in another county, usually because they claim pre-trial local publicity about their case has made it impossible to empanel an unbiased jury.

Cappellini also mentioned last year the possibility of hiring a change-of-venue expert to question county residents who could be called as jurors to see if they are biased against Mackowiak.

A trial to determine Mackowiak's mental fitness to stand trial took place in January 2009. Twenty-eight people were questioned in court before 12 jurors and one alternate juror were chosen. Of those 28 people, three said they had read of Mackowiak. The jury found Mackowiak fit.

The next hearing is set for Friday, Dec. 4.