Curtis Jones pleads not guilty to murder of Jonathan Wieseler

IOWA CITY - Curtis Jones is scheduled to go to trial next month for the death of Iowa City bail bondsman Jonathan Wieseler.

According to court records, Jones pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Thursday. His trial date is now set for Jan. 30, 2018. A case management conference has been scheduled for Jan. 4.

Jones, 41, is accused of killing Wieseler sometime between 10:20 and 10:32 p.m. April 22 at Lederman Bail Bonds, 518 S. Capitol St., where Wieseler worked. Police said Wieseler was fatally shot during a robbery.

Authorities said Jones was captured on surveillance video driving near the crime scene. A search of that vehicle turned up the DNA of both Wieseler and Jones.

Iowa City police announced Jones would be charged with Wieseler's death last month. He had previously been in custody for the death of Iowa City cabdriver Ricky Lillie on June 27. On that occasion, police said Jones entered Lillie's cab and the two men drove to the 500 block of Ernest Street, where Jones shot Lillie in the head.

Jones is scheduled to go to trial for the Lillie homicide in Scott County on April 9.

First-degree murder is a Class A felony punishable by life in prison.