Associated Press - November 5, 2009 8:24 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Defense attorneys are asking a judge to move the trial of a mother and her boyfriend accused in the slaying of a Boise boy this summer.

Melissa Jenkins and Daniel Ehrlick are each charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jenkins' eight -year-old son Robert Manwill. Thousands of Boise residents helped to search for the boy for more than a week after he was reported missing. His body was found Aug. 3 in an irrigation canal near Kuna.

During a hearing Thursday, lawyers for Jenkins and Ehrlick say moving the trial away from Boise is necessary given the intense publicity surrounding the case.

Fourth District Judge Darla Williamson will consider the request. She scheduled trial for April 12, 2010.

Lawyers also filed a motion Thursday asking the judge to hold separate trials.

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