A federal judge denied a motion Monday to move a civil-rights trial out of the area because of pretrial publicity.
In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Oliver W. Wanger said media coverage actually has been favorable to Fresno Police Sgt. Michael Manfredi, one of two officers accused of using excessive force.
Several people have sued Manfredi and former officer Marcus Tafoya, alleging they assaulted them at a party for George Rendon, a Marine returning from Iraq in March 2005.