Judge: Chauncey Bailey Murder Trial To Stay In Oakland

OAKLAND (AP) -- A judge said the trial of two men in the slaying of an Oakland journalist will be held in Oakland unless he determines that an impartial jury can't be seated.

Defense lawyers had requested a change of venue, but Superior Court Judge Thomas Reardon said Tuesday that he wants to attempt jury selection before granting their change of venue motion.

Former Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusef Bey IV and co-defendant Antoine Mackey are accused of ordering and helping to carrying out the killing of Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey in August 2007. They have pleaded not guilty.

Bailey, 57 was investigating a story about the nonprofit bakery when he was shot to death.

The defense claims intense media coverage of the case has prejudiced local jurors.

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