NATCHEZ — The second out-of-town murder trial to be hosted in Natchez in as many months will be in Adams County Circuit Court next week.

Judge Anthony Mozingo transferred the murder trial of Joseph Ronald Hartfield — who along with two others is accused of killing his wife, Tabitha Hartfield — from Lamar County earlier this month. Jury selection of Adams County residents will begin Monday.

Tabitha Hartfield was found in a shallow grave in Purvis on May 31, 2008. She had been strangled, possibly up to a week before her discovery.

The trial venue was changed because Joseph Hartfield’s attorneys contended that extensive news coverage of the murder in Lamar County has made it impossible to seat an unbiased jury.

Adams County Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker said the trial will not disrupt the business of the Adams County courts, which are currently between terms. The next Adams County court term will begin July 23.

While the prosecutors for the George County trial of Christopher Lee Baxter paid to use Adams County’s court reporters during Baxter’s trial in May, Walker said the Lamar County court delegation would bring its own court personnel for the trial.

“The only thing they are using here are our jury,” he said. “We’re just giving them a space to do the trial.”

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said the Adams County Sheriff’s Office will provide courtroom security for the trial.

“The ACSO heads up all court operations in Adams County, and we are prepared to offer a safe court environment to everyone affiliated with this case,” Mayfield said.

Walker said he has been told the prosecutors expect the trial to last three days, and that the jurors will not likely be sequestered.

The circuit clerk said he wasn’t sure there was a single reason why Natchez has been chosen as the venue for the two out-of-town trials this year.

“I would like to think that the judges think the people of Adams County are fair people and will give them a fair trial,” Walker said.

In addition to Joseph Hartfield, Natasha Jean Graham — Tabitha’s cousin — and Ethan Dakota Dixon were also arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death.

Graham has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Dixon awaits trial.