Trial reset for man accused in stabbing death of cab driver

CEDAR RAPIDS - The trial for a man accused of killing a cab driver in 2011 was reset Monday to April 23, after several continuances and a change of venue to Story County.

Johnathan Mitchell, 35, of Cedar Rapids, charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery, is accused of  stabbing to death Cathy Stickley, 54, a Century Cab driver, April 29, 2011. According to a criminal complaint, Stickley was found dead by her vehicle in the 1500 block alley between Second and Third avenues SE in Cedar Rapids. Stickley died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and head.

Mitchell's trial started last August in Story County but ended before the second day of  jury selection in a mistrial because the prosecutor had a serious medical condition and couldn't continue the trial.

In October, the defense filed another continuance because Mitchell was suffering from an unknown medical condition. Mitchell was having "excruciating pain" according to the motion. He had been suffering ongoing symptoms over the past several months, which prevented him from sitting in the courtroom for six or seven hours a day.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.