Mark Becker to stand trial on eluding charge in December

The trial concerning an eluding charge against Mark Becker, the man accused of fatally shooting the Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach, was reset today to Dec. 8 in Butler County District Court.

Becker, 25, of Parkersburg, charged with eluding police while participating in a felony, is accused of leading police on a high speed chase the weekend before he fatally shot Ed Thomas June 24. He allegedly broke out windows with a baseball bat and drove a vehicle through a garage door in Cedar Falls June 20, and then led police on the chase. After being arrested he was admitted to the psychiatric ward at Covenent Medical Center but was released the night before he walked into the weightlifting session and shot Thomas at close range multiple times.

Becker was found competent to stand trial earlier this month but a trial date for his first-degree murder charge hasn't been set at this time. He waived his right to speedy trial last week under a condition it would be set by Jan. 30.