Former cpl. to face murder trial this summer

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Former cpl. to face murder trial this summer

By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 8, 2009 18:30:19 EST

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Former Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean will be tried this summer outside of the county where he allegedly murdered and buried a fellow Marine in his backyard.

Citing the extensive media coverage surrounding the case, Superior Court Judge Charles Henry agreed Tuesday afternoon in Onslow County Superior Court that Laurean’s trial should be moved to another county.

Laurean faces a first degree murder charge for allegedly killing Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach in December 2007 then burning her body and burying it in the backyard of his Jacksonville home. Lauterbach was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.

The case drew national media attention when her death was announced and Laurean fled to Mexico, where he hid for four months before authorities there captured him. He was extradited to Onslow County, N.C., in late 2008.

His trial is scheduled to begin June 28. Where the trial will be held will be determined at a later date, but attorneys say the case will likely be tried in a county near Onslow County.

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Cesar Laurean, who fled to Mexico shortly before he was charged with killing a pregnant Marine colleague in North Carolina, returned to the U.S. on April 17. He is accused of killing Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, 20, of Vandalia, Ohio.

Onslow (NC) County Sheriff's Department via AP Cesar Laurean, who fled to Mexico shortly before he was charged with killing a pregnant Marine colleague in North Carolina, returned to the U.S. on April 17. He is accused of killing Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, 20, of Vandalia, Ohio.