BLOOMINGTON - The attorney for accused murderer Joshua McGuire complained Wednesday that she has been unable to view surveillance tapes collected by police from businesses near the scene of a November stabbing.

McGuire, 22, is accused of the Nov. 16 stabbing death of Joshua Embry during a fight in the 500 block of North Center Street. He has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charges and remains jailed in lieu of posting $100,000.

McLean County Public Defender Amy Davis said the videos provided by the state will not play on county-owed computers in her office. She said the tapes also failed to play on her home computer.

Chief Felony Prosecutor Mark Messman told Judge Paul Lawrence that the certain capabilities have been removed from county computers to avoid potential viruses.

The inability to review the tapes could hinder the defense investigation into the death, she said.

"I can tell you these are two critical pieces of evidence and without them we really can't proceed with our investigation," Davis told the judge.

The defense attorney said similar computer problems are frequent and should be addressed.

Lawrence asked Davis to continue trying to access the materials and notify the court if those efforts fail.

Messman said it is likely that the surveillance tapes will be played during McGuire's as-yet unscheduled trial.

The prosecutor said previously that videos from at least two businesses captured activity in the area of the fight and footage from cameras at other businesses may relate to the incident.

McGuire also faces residential burglary charges filed in an unrelated incident in September. He is due back in court April 6 for a review of the status of both cases.