FILE - In this Wednesday, May 3, 2017, file photo, Tyler Goodson of the hit podcast "S-Town" stands at the grave in Green Pond, Ala., of friend John B. McLemore, who is also featured in the serialized show. Goodson has pleaded not guilty to a multi-count indictment alleging he took lumber, old vehicles and a laptop computer from the property of his friend McLemore, the main character in "S-Town." Bibb County Circuit Judge Donald McMillan refused to move Tyler Goodson’s upcoming trial to an even more rural county during a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 19. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves, File)

CENTREVILLE, Ala. - A character from the hit podcast "S-Town" will stand trial on theft and other charges in the rural Alabama county that serves as the setting for the serialized narrative, a judge decided Tuesday.

Bibb County Circuit Judge Donald McMillan, ruling after a brief hearing, refused to move Tyler Goodson's upcoming trial to an even more rural county.

Defence attorneys J.D. Terry and Cedrick Coleman asked McMillan to relocate the case arguing that the popularity of "S-Town" makes it impossible for Goodson, 26, of Woodstock to get a fair trial on charges linked to events in the podcast. Podtrac, which analyzes podcast statistics, said the seven episodes of "S-Town" have had more than 64 million streams and downloads since being released in late March.

But prosecutor Bryan Jones called the request premature, and the judge agreed. McMillan indicated he could reconsider the request once jurors are questioned at the beginning of Goodson's trial, set for Oct. 16.

Goodson has pleaded not guilty to a multi-count indictment alleging he took lumber, old vehicles and a laptop computer from the property of his friend John B. McLemore, the main character in "S-Town." Both men lived in Bibb County, located about 35 miles southwest (56 kilometres) of Birmingham.

The judge also refused a defence request to dismiss multiple, identical charges alleging Goodson illegally trespassed on McLemore's property.

Goodson stood quietly before the judge with his lawyers during the hearing. His cowboy hat sat on the front of the judge's bench.

Separately, a judge in neighbouring Jefferson County on Monday dismissed charges of domestic violence, burglary and child endangerment filed against Goodson in February alleging he broke into an estranged girlfriend's home in 2015 waving a gun and making threats. The alleged victim did not want the case to go forward.

"S-Town" tells the story of an alleged murder and another death, and winds up focusing on McLemore's relationship with Goodson, the tiny town of Woodstock and his own inner demons.

The show was produced by Serial Productions of the podcast "Serial" and "This American Life."

News from © The Associated Press, 2017