Trial of man accused of killing Iowa trooper to be moved

Jan. 20, 2022 3:14 pm

This December 2015 photo provided by the Iowa Department of Corrections, shows Michael Lang, of Grundy Center, Iowa. Lang, 41, is charged with murder in the April 9 , 2021, shooting of Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith during a violent standoff at his home. An investigator says he was stunned to learn that Lang was a candidate for county sheriff in the November 2020 election. (Iowa Department of Corrections via AP)

GRUNDY CENTER, Iowa — The trial for a man charged with killing an Iowa State Patrol trooper will be moved out of Grundy County, but a new location for the trial has not been determined.

Prosecutors did not resist a defense request for a change of venue for the trial of Michael Thomas Lang, 42, in the death of patrol Sgt. Jim Smith, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported.

The defense argued it would be difficult to seat an unbiased jury in Grundy County.

Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith

Lang, 42, is charged with murder, attempted murder and assault on a peace office in Smith's death in April 2021.

Authorities said Lang fled after struggling with a Grundy Center police officer during a traffic stop. He allegedly shot Smith when officers tried to enter his home to arrest him.

During a Wednesday hearing in Grundy County District Court, arguments were heard over a defense motion to have a separate trial on the assault charge.

Judge Joel Dalrymple said he would rule on the motion at a later date.

An April hearing was set on a defense motion to suppress statements Lang made during police interviews after the standoff.