Testimony is scheduled to begin today in the trial of William Long Jr., following the selection of a jury on Tuesday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

Long is charged with aggravated murder and murder in the late 2023 death of his estranged wife, Michelle Long. Judge Megan Bickerton is presiding over the case.

The trial’s first day will include 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.

Michelle Long was a teacher at Leetonia High School. Investigators found her body inside her vehicle on Nov. 29, 2023. Court records show that on the day she died, she had expressed concerns about her safety to her divorce lawyer.

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 Long to wear regular clothes instead of a jail uniform during the proceedings.

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.