A Monmouth County judge ruled Monday on a “change of venue” request for the defendant in the murder trial of a missing teen.

The attorney for Liam McAtasney had filed motions to move the trial and suppress a video recording.

Prosecutors said McAtasney described strangling 19-year-old Sarah Stern in the video.

The defendant’s attorney cited negative publicity as the reason for the “change of venue” request.

McAtasney is accused of killing Stern in order to gain access to thousands of dollars she recently obtained.

McAtasney’s roommate, Preston Taylor, pleaded guilty to helping to dispose of Stern’s body by tossing it off the Route 35 Bridge. He is expected to testify against McAtasney.

McAtasney, Taylor and Stern all went to high school together and were considered friends. 

Stern’s body has never been found.