Judge Says It Is 'Premature' To Change The Venue Of Joseph Thomas' Murder Trial

First, the attorneys of -- filed a motion asking that his trial be held outside of Lake County.

They said the extensive media coverage of the crime and Thomas' arrest in Lake County.

Then, prosecutors said the request is premature.

They before the jury selection process has started. They wrote in his motion that "any hearing on this matter should be delayed until an attempt is made to seat a jury."

Now, Lake County Common Pleas Judge Richard Collins has made a decision and he agrees with the prosecutors.

He said until the jury pool is vetted, "this court cannot conclude that pretrial publicity has made obtaining a fair and impartial jury in Lake County an impossibility."

Collins said he would revisit the issue after the jury pool has been questioned as to potential bias.

"The motion of defendant Joseph Thomas for a change of venue is premature," Collins said.

Thomas' trial is scheduled to begin September 5.

McSween, 49, of Mentor, was found killed Nov. 26, 2010, near on Andrews Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake.

Her body was found behind the house at 5612 Andrews Road, next to the bar, at 8:39 a.m. She had been beaten, strangled and repeatedly stabbed, according to authorities. She likely bled to death.

Thomas, 27, was and on charges of aggravated murder, rape, tampering with evidence, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.