As of tomorrow morning, we will have resolution on the request made by attorneys for Marc and Misty Ray to move the trials to a different location.

Judge Terry Rickers will preside over a change of venue hearing at 9:30 a.m. at the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel. The defense attorneys made the request due to the extensive media coverage of the case, which they felt will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in Dallas County. The hearing was initially scheduled for last week, but had to be moved after one of the attorneys had to have emergency surgery the night before. The individual is fine now, but at the time the Judge didn’t feel they were fit to properly present their arguments.

The change of venue is one of a few pending issues that will be considered tomorrow, and though Rickers says there may be one topic that could require a closed hearing, everything else will be open to the media and public. The Rays are being tried on charges stemming from the death of their adopted daughter, 16-year-old Sabrina Ray, on May 12, 2017. Sabrina was found dead in the Ray’s home in Perry, having suffered from severe malnutrition. Justin Ray, the couple’s biological son, and Carla Bousman, Misty’s mother, have already been sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in Sabrina’s death.

Misty’s niece, Josie Bousman, will also be tried for her involvement, but she’s agreed to testify against Marc and Misty and will have her trial at the conclusion of theirs. Be sure to listen to Raccoon Valley Radio tomorrow following the hearing to learn if the change of venue request is granted.