Trial reset for Nicholas Luerkens

Background

Nicholas Luerkens is accused of killing former girlfriend Lynnsey Donald in April, after he followed her and called her 175 times in fewer than three months in an attempt to reconcile with her.

Luerkens, 32, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with first-degree murder. He is accused of stabbing Donald, 29, to death in the parking lot of the Marion Hy-Vee on April 21. The incident was captured by a surveillance camera.

According to search warrants filed last month, the video shows the attack started when Donald left the store and headed to her car, holding her 7-year-old sons hand. The video also showed Luerkens parking his car near her car.

Luerkens approached them, then grabbed Donald's arm while stabbing her, according to documents. She then fell to the ground, but Luerkens continued to stab her. He then stabbed himself.

When police arrived, Luerkens became 'hysterical,” according to the warrants. An employee told officers that Luerkens sat next to Donald's body, saying, 'I have to kill myself.”

Later, while Luerkens was hospitalized, an officer said the doctor treating him reported there was marijuana in Luerkens' system.

Donald's son was 'only a few feet away” during the stabbing and then ran, according to the warrants. He was later found and identified Luerkens as his mother's attacker.

As well as many phone calls, cell records showed a series of text messages on Donald's phone between the two on March 20, according to the warrants.

Luerkens was asking for a time to meet her to discuss their relationship. Donald denied his request twice that day, stating, 'No, I'm done.”

What's happened since

Luerkens pleaded not guilty, and according to court documents filed last month, he will claim he was insane, or had diminished capacity, and was intoxicated at the time.

This past Monday, David Grinde, Luerkens' attorney, filed a motion to continue his trial. Luerkens had demanded his 'right to speedy trial” and was set for trial July 27.

Grinde in the motion said 'matters” have come to his attention and requires 'further investigation and consultation” to provide Luerkens with the best representation.

At a hearing Friday, he waived his right to speedy trial and a new trial was set for Nov. 2.