Opening statements and witness testimony were presented to jurors Wednesday in the murder trial of William Long, Jr., in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

William Long has plead not guilty to charges of murder, aggravated murder and discharging a firearm over a public road in the late 2023 death of his ex-wife, Michelle Long. Michelle's sister, Sara Lewis, testified that she found Michelle shot dead inside her vehicle on Nov. 29, 2023. Judge Megan Bickerton is presiding over the case. 

The day began with a jury view, a process where the jurors visit locations central to the case. The court granted a request for the jury to visit the crime scene on Carey Road in Butler Township, as well as a specific route between Endley Road and Carey Road that investigators have highlighted in the case.

Once back in the courtroom, lawyers for the prosecution and defense presented their opening statements to the jury. Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech told jurors William Long had killed his ex-wife "execution style," fueled by a hatred for her that stemmed from a contentious divorce. 

The day before Michelle Long was killed, Beech said a judge denied William Long's appeal of rulings in the divorce, which had awarded his ex-wife child support, alimony and a cash payment of $100,000. 

"It was no secret, you're going to hear, the defendant did not agree with the divorce," Beech said. "He did not agree with the outcome of the divorce. It was no secret that he was angry about it, and it was no secret that he hated Michelle. And when you're thinking about motive in this case, this is the oldest motive in the book." 

The defense did not deny that William and Michelle Long's divorce was tumultuous, or that William had said "foul, disgusting things" to Michelle when drunk. In his opening statement, defense attorney Frank Cassese framed his client's drinking as a coping mechanism for the suicide of the couple's son, Jacob, in 2016. 

Cassese also emphasized to the jury that cell phone location data does not place the defendant at the crime scene at the time of the shooting. Surveillance video, cell phone records and GPS tracking data are expected to be major elements of the trial evidence. 

"This is about whether the State can provide evidence that convinces you beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed Michelle," Cassese said. "Not that he was a bad husband."

The prosecution claims the defendant intentionally left his phone in another location while committing the crime. 

Lewis and her boyfriend, Robert Morris, Jr., were the first two people to find the victim's body in 2023 and the first witnesses called to testify. Each of them separately recounted how William Long had become more angry with Michelle and started drinking more heavily in the months leading up to her death. 

Court records show that on the day she died, Michelle Long had expressed concerns about her safety to her divorce lawyer. Lewis also said in her testimony that Michelle told her she was becoming more afraid of her ex-husband over time. 

Both witnesses testified that in the moments after arriving at the crime scene, they immediately suspected the defendant was responsible for her death. Prosecutors also played a recording of the 911 call Morris placed that night, in which he tells the dispatcher about the Longs' divorce, which he believed had "something to do with it." 

The witnesses' testimony evoked emotions in the courtroom, which was filled with supporters of the victim and defendant. Several people were moved to tears as attorneys played the 911 call recording, in which Lewis can be heard screaming repeatedly. 

Michelle Long
Michelle Long  

Leading up to the trial, the court made several rulings regarding evidence. Judge Bickerton denied defense efforts to block evidence taken from cellphones and a 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck. Prosecutors used security camera footage and witness statements to link that truck to the area where the shooting occurred. 

The judge also denied a defense motion for reconsideration. To ensure a fair appearance, the court granted a request allowing the defendant to wear regular clothes instead of a jail uniform during the proceedings.

William Long has remained in custody while waiting for the trial to begin. Following the jury view, the trial is expected to move forward with opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense.