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Trial of man accused of killing Iowa trooper to be moved
AP
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
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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.