A murder trial scheduled to get under way in Dawson City next month has been moved to Whitehorse.

Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale heard this morning that a well-known placer miner, George Kieran Daunt, might not receive a fair trial in Dawson.

There has been a lot of gossip about the murder running through the small town of Dawson, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor David McWhinnie said there is a legitimate concern that jurors could use their personal knowledge, which the court would not be aware of, to make a decision about the accused.

'It is certainly a live issue as to whether a fair trial is possible,' said McWhinnie.

Veale asked if court instruction to the jury members not to use their personal views would be an adequate protection.

McWhinnie said such court instruction would offer no guarantee of a fair trial.

Veale agreed to move the trial venue to Whitehorse. However, he said the lawyers must submit written arguments to him by the end of the day to justify that decision for the court records.

The three-week trial is scheduled to begin May 2.

More than 100 witnesses are expected to be called to testify.

McWhinnie said now that the trial has been moved, the court will have to deal with the logistical nightmare of bringing 50 Dawson witnesses to Whitehorse for the trial.

'But the logistical issues are trumped by fairness of trial,' said McWhinnie.

Daunt is charged with second-degree murder in relation to the shooting death of 53-year-old Robert Truswell.

Truswell's body was found on his Bonanza Creek placer mining claim in August 2003.

Daunt, who was not in court this morning, owned a neighbouring claim.