Poisoning Tucson’s jury pool for border agent trial
By Linda Bentley | July 30, 2008

TUCSON – Last month Attorney Jim Calle, on behalf of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Corbett, 40, filed a motion for a change of venue, requesting Corbett’s trial be transferred to the U.S. District Court in Phoenix.

Ending with a hopelessly hung jury on March 10, 2008, Corbett’s first trial on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and negligent homicide for fatally shooting Francisco Dominguez-Rivera, 22, was declared a mistrial. Corbett says he acted in self defense.
Calle explained the facts surrounding the Jan. 12, 2007 incident, when Corbett, whose responsibilities require he enforce the anti-terrorism, immigration and drug laws of the United States, was performing his duties as a Border Patrol agent.

While working in an area between Douglas and Naco, Arizona, Corbett spotted and tried to apprehend three brothers, Francisco Dominguez-Rivera, Jorge Dominguez-Rivera, and Rene Dominguez-Rivera, along with Jorge’s girlfriend, Sandra Vidal Guzman, who entered the United States illegally.

Later during a confrontation, Francisco Dominguez-Rivera picked up a rock to assault Corbett, who shot and killed him.

Not only was there ongoing coverage of the Corbett case, Calle said, “There also have been numerous print and television stories on all manner of border issues directly related to the mission and activities of the U.S. Border Patrol,â€