INDEPENDENCE - The selection process and interviews for a mock jury in the trial of a Coralville woman accused killing one of her sons and injuring another should finish today.

Attorneys for Michelle Kehoe, 35, requested the hearing as a way to test whether enough bias existed in Buchanan County to prohibit her from receiving a fair trial. If enough prejudice is found, District Court Judge Bruce Zager could move the trial out of the region.

Zager said no locations have been considered yet for a trial, if the venue is moved.

"That may be something I'll talk with the attorneys today at the conclusion of the proceedings," he said.

However, he said he'll likely consider a location away from major media outlets, including the KWWL -TV broadcast and The Courier's circulation areas.

Possible jurors in Friday's hearing are being treated as if this is a real jury selection proceeding, including taking an oath to truthfully answer any questions. Around 60 people showed up for the selection process.

Four had been interviewed by noon and 14 had been let go, Zager said.

The questions were similar to those of a conventional jury selection process, though attorneys spent more time on the amount of knowledge the jurors had about the case and how much of that came from media coverage.

Zager ordered the proceedings closed Thursday afternoon, in part to protect the anonymity of the jurors and because of concerns about further contaminating the jury pool for a future trial.

Kehoe is accused of killing her 2-year-old son Seth at a pond near Littleton in October of last year. Her older son Sean was found injured but alive nearby. The three were allegedly travelling to visit relatives in Sumner last year, but never arrived.

Kehoe was also injured severely during the incident and spent three weeks in the hospital.

She is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and child endangerment causing serious injury. She has pleaded not guilty.

Andrea Dryer, Kehoe's attorney, requested a change of venue, claiming that media attention has made it impossible for Kehoe to receive a fair trial. Dryer also pointed to comments made on news articles and online

Prosecutors argued that the pool would be expensive and might not reflect the opinions of a jury pooled for a real trial.

Kehoe's trial is currently scheduled for Oct. 28 in Independence.