ELIZABETH — A man accused of setting off bombs last year in New Jersey and New York has lost a change of venue request regarding his trial on attempted murder charges stemming from a shootout with police.

NJ.com reports a New Jersey judge has ruled that Ahmad Rahimi's trial won't be moved.

Rahimi's lawyer said his client couldn't get a fair trial in Union County, citing the excessive media coverage he and the bombings have received.

But prosecutors argued that coverage of the case has been periodic, not constant, and more factual than sensational.

Rahimi is charged with attempted murder for the Sept. 19 gunbattle with five officers in Linden, New Jersey. At the time, he was being sought for allegedly planting two bombs in Manhattan and two in New Jersey.

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