BUTLER TWP., Ohio - A judge in Columbiana County has already ruled that investigators legally seized several key pieces of evidence in the case of Michelle Long, a teacher who was shot and killed about two years ago.

But on Monday, Judge Megan Bickerton heard testimony on whether phone-tracking technology can be used at the trial of William Long, the ex-husband of Michelle Long, who is accused of allegedly shooting and killing her in Butler Township in 2023. 

With jury selection set to begin in February, Bickerton said time is ticking.

Prosecutors said technology, called Trax, helps show where William Long’s phone was the night Michelle Long was shot, and brought in an expert to speak to the reputation of the technology.

However, defense attorneys continued to argue that the software is not reliable and does not show that William Long was at the scene of the crime.

“We're challenging the underlying software," Attorney Frank Cassese said, "The science behind the underlying software, specifically Trax. Law enforcement uses these types of software all the time." 

Meanwhile, recent court filings show denied attempts to throw out other evidence, stating there was more than a substantial basis to search William Long’s home, vehicles and seize electronic data based on alleged disturbing behavior and threats of violence toward Michelle Long.

Judge Megan Bickerton did not make a decision Monday on whether Trax will be suppressed as evidence.

Instead, both sides have 14 days to file legal briefs before she rules.

“There's been a lot of reports that William Long's cell phone was tracked at the location of the murder," Cassese said, "That's not accurate." 

The trial remains scheduled for February 3.