Opening statements will begin Thursday in the trial of the man accused of raping and killing an elderly woman nearly 10 years ago.

It's taken three days for attorneys to pick a full jury.

They had to bring in a second pool of people to get 12 jurors and two alternates.

Right after both sides agreed on the last juror, the defense attorney again requested a hearing to determine if the trial should be moved.

The judge rejected the motion.

The defense attorney said Donald Borders cannot get a fair trial in Cleveland County, because of all the publicity about the murder and rape of Margaret Tessneer.

Relatives found her body in her home 10 years ago.

The defense said articles in the local paper suggest Borders should be tried for the deaths of two other elderly women.

Border's DNA only links him to Tessneer's home.

Those who knew Tessneer told Eyewitness News the trial will bring back bitter memories, but they are glad it's about to begin.

"I feel like just crying. She was the sweetest woman. She would give you the shirt off her back. Anything she could do for you, she would do it," said victim's neighbor Tonya Emory.

Opening statements will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday. The trial is expected to last at about a week.