Man accused of killing Brianna Denison wants separate trials for charges

[Starless]

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10101373

Lawyers for the man accused of raping and killing a young Reno woman and sexually assaulting two others is asking a judge for three separate trials on the charges.
In a motion filed in Washoe District Court, Public Defender Richard Davies argues a public perception of James Biela's guilt in the Brianna Denison murder will taint jurors on the two other charges.
Judge Robert Perry has scheduled an April 17 hearing for arguments on the motion.
Biela faces a possible death penalty if convicted of the kidnapping and killing the 19-year-old Denison, who disappeared in January 2008 while sleeping on a friend's couch. Her body was found about three weeks later.
He also is charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a parking garage in October 2007 and raping another woman two months later