POMEROY — The State of Ohio has opposed a defense motion in the Charles S. Williams murder case for a change of venue.

Attorneys Charles Knight of Pomeroy and William Eachus of Gallipolis filed a motion last month to move the death-penalty murder trial to a location outside of Meigs County so an impartial jury can be seated. The trial is set to begin July 7.

Williams is now undergoing court-ordered psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. Results of that evaluation are expected by month’s end.

According to Knight and Eachus, Williams has been treated at several psychiatric hospitals, and was imprisoned in the 1990’s for making a threat on the life of then-President George W. Bush. Williams is now in the Southeastern Regional Jail in Nelsonville after waiving extradition while in jail in West Virginia on a probation violation.

Knight, in his motion, said pre-trial coverage of the case in The Daily Sentinel and other news sources will make it impossible to seat an impartial jury. In a response to the defense motion filed earlier this week, Prosecuting Attorney Colleen Williams opposed moving the trial to another location.

“The law does not require a change of venue merely because of extensive pre-trial publicity,” Williams wrote. “It is within the sound discretion of the court to determine whether a change of venue is necessary.”

“The defendant must show that due to pre-trial publicity, he will not be afforded a fair and impartial trial.”

“Further, the interests of judicial economy, convenience, and reduction of public expenses necessitate that judges make a good faith effort to seat a jury before granting a change in venue.”

According to Prosecutor Williams, the matter of a change of venue should be considered during voir dire, process by which prospective jurors are questioned about their backgrounds and potential biases before being chosen to sit on a jury. That, the prosecutor said, is “when the effects of pre-trial publicity, if any, can be determined.”

The prosecutor also opposes sequestration of jury members during trial.

Charles Williams is accused in the robbery and strangulation death of an elderly Tuppers Plains woman, Doris Jackson, in February. The Meigs County Grand Jury returned a 10-count indictment, including two counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.