Cedar Rapids man’s trial in HIV related case rescheduled

CEDAR RAPIDS - A trial has been reset to December for a Cedar Rapids man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2011.

A judge ordered a delayed in proceedings last month to allow attorneys for Eddie Jones, 37, to file an interlocutory appeal, asking the Iowa Supreme Court to overturn 6th Judicial District Judge Mary Chicchelly's ruling. Chicchelly allowed a prosecutor to amend the repealed felony charge of criminal transmission of HIV to a misdemeanor charge of criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease.

Anne Laverty, Jones' attorney, argued the amended charge is for a new and different crime, compared to the now repealed code 709C.1. She claimed the amendment charged Jones with violating a law that didn't exist until May 30, 2014 - three years after the alleged incident.

Laverty also argued it was unfair for the state to amend charges less than a week before the trial was set to start.

The Iowa Supreme court denied the application for interlocutory appeal Oct. 9.

Jones' trial starts Dec. 1 in Linn County District Court.