Man accused in death of Smith County deputy requests venue change

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A discussion preceding a canceled hearing for a manslaughter trial included a request to change venues.

Daniel Nyabuto, 21, of Grand Prairie, was indicted on a charge of intoxication manslaughter on Oct. 13, 2022, following the July death of a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy.

Lorenzo Bustos was killed after he and a field training officer, Michael Skinner, conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation of the traffic stop, Bustos was standing behind his patrol car when another vehicle struck him. He died several hours later after being transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.

A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon regarding the case, but was cancelled due to the defendant arguing a lack of accident reconstruction from DPS.

Before the canceled hearing, the defense attorney, Matt Bingham, said he has filed a motion for a change of venue. The motion claimed that the coverage of the case has been “so widespread, inflammatory, and prejudicial that the defendant cannot get a fair trial in Smith County.” The defense submitted four affidavits in support of the motion, one being from the defendant. The motion was filed on March 8.

Judge Kerry Russell said this type of request had never come up in his court before, but that he would look into it.

• Previous reporting: Grand jury indicts man accused in death of Smith County deputy on 2nd charge