Trial reset for Central City man accused of killing Cedar Rapids man

A trial for a Central City man accused of killing a Cedar Rapids man last August was reset this week to Sept. 9, in Linn County District Court.

Martin Wilkinson, 63, is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is accused of shooting and killing  Gregory O'Hare, 47, of Cedar Rapids, Aug. 24, 2012. An Astra A-7 handgun found in his home was identified by police as the weapon used in the homicide, according to a criminal complaint.

According to an autopsy, O'Hare died of multiple gunshot. He was shot at least eight times, with five of those shots going into his back.

Wilkinson's attorney asked the continuance, saying he needed more time to prepare for trial. Wilkinson also filed a motion to suppress evidence of 37 weapons recovered from his home during a police search and a statements made to police after the shooting. The weapons included various calibers and brands of shotguns, rifles, revolvers and pistols, and various ammunition.

The statements he wants suppressed include him telling a police negotiator that he shot O'Hare and another statement he made while at the hospital, according to the motion. Wilkinson was in a standoff with police before he surrendered and received minor injuries.

A suppression hearing is set 1:30 p.m. April 26, to argue the motions.

Witnesses discovered O'Hare's body Aug. 24, in a rural area a short distance from Wilkinson's home, according to criminal complaint. Witnesses also told police they heard gunshots the day before.