Jury selection begins in Tori Stafford murder trial in London, Ont.

LONDON, Ont. - Jury selection begins today in the trial of a man accused of killing an eight-year-old girl who went missing outside her school in Woodstock, Ont., in 2009.

Michael Rafferty, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping in the death of Victoria Stafford.

Tori disappeared while on her way home from school on April 8, 2009, and her body was found three months later.

Terri-Lynne McClintic, now 21, has already been convicted of first-degree murder in the girl's death.

A total of 1,375 people have been summoned for jury duty this week and next, and they could end up serving on the Rafferty trial or any other criminal or civil jury trial starting during that period.

Rafferty's trial was moved from Woodstock to nearby London in light of publicity surrounding the girl's death.

The trial is also expected to draw extensive media coverage, so Superior Court Judge Thomas Heeney has set some ground rules. Reporters can use but won't be allowed to transmit from the courtroom from devices such as laptops or smartphones.

However, a satellite courtroom will be set up for the trial, from which reporters will be allowed to electronically transmit information.

Members of the public won't be permitted to use personal electronic devices in either courtroom.

During the trial, which is expected to last through the spring, the jury is set to visit the site where Tori's body was found.