Jacovan Bush murder trial schedule for October

CEDAR RAPIDS – The retrial of Jacovan Bush, 20, of Fairfax, for first-degree murder will be continued to October.

Bush, who was convicted in 2008 of shooting and killing Thomas Horvath, 19, during a fist fight between rival friends, waived his right to speedy trial Friday during a status conference in Linn County District Court. The defense asked for a continuance. The trial was set for next month.

Kjas Long, Bush's attorney, said he needed more time to prepare for trial.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover-Grinde said she would set the date for either Oct. 10 or 17, whichever date is available.

Bush was granted an appeal in November based on inadmissible evidence.

The prosecution called three witnesses during he trial who identified Bush as the shooter in statements to police after the incident but then recanted those statements prior to trial. Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, then first assistant, told the court he was calling them only for  impeachment purposes to prove Bush was the shooter.

The defense argued those three witnesses' statements were inadmissible but the judge allowed it.

Vander Sanden asked the Iowa Attorney General to seek for further review of the appeal from the Supreme Court but the court denied it last week.

Horvath was shot in the abdomen and head during the fight, which started out over a busted car light, according to court testimony.