Prosecutors had sought the request, but ad-hoc Judge Edward "Jimmy' Gaidry ruled that the court will be able to find enough impartial jurors from the Northshore. Strain spent 20 years as St. Tammany Parish Sheriff.
Gaidry is a retired judge from Houma, appointed to preside over the case because the entire bench of the 22nd Judicial District recused itself.
The trial is set to begin in April.