If, upon motion of the defendant, the court determines that there exists in the county in which the prosecution is pending so great a prejudice against the defendant that he cannot obtain a fair and impartial trial, the court must either:

(1)        Transfer the proceeding to another county in the prosecutorial district as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-60 or to another county in an adjoining prosecutorial district as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-60, or

(2)        Order a special venire under the terms of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-958

The procedure for change of venue is in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of this Chapter, Venue. (1973, c. 1286, s. 1; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 63.)