Kozak murder trial will be reset, may also be moved out of Johnson County

IOWA CITY — The trial for a former Coral Ridge Mall security guard accused of killing 20-year-old Andrea Farrington in June will likely be reset and may be moved to another county.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns and the attorneys in the case discussed a trial date during a hearing Monday in Johnson County District Court. Bruns, who participated by phone from another county, asked Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness and Johnson County Public Defender Peter Persaud for a 'realistic' trial date. The current date is set for Oct. 6. Alexander Kozak, 22, of North Liberty, charged with first-degree murder, came into the courtroom in handcuffs, leg chains and a shock belt, along with four Johnson County deputies. Kozak didn't speak during the hearing. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail under a $10 million bail.

Lyness said she was in the process of gathering all the discovery or evidence for trial. She has turned over about 17 discs of interviews to Persaud and is waiting for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reports, which will also be given to Persaud. 

Bruns suggested attorneys should set another hearing for the end of August to set a trial date. Persaud agreed, saying Kozak would waive his right to a speedy trial and would be filing a motion for a change of venue.

Bruns said he expected that the defense would ask to move the trial to another county, one that had less previous media coverage of this case, and he would likely grant it, depending on the motion filed. Persaud suggested Story County in Nevada for the trial, but Bruns said he would ask 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady for his input on a transfer. He added that he would also get input from Lyness and Persaud.

Kozak, a former security guard, is accused of shooting Farrington three times in the back at close range at Coral Ridge Mall on June 12, according to a criminal complaint. Authorities have said Kozak, who resigned just before the shooting, targeted Farrington, an Iowa Children's Museum employee, but have not provided specifics about why he fired at her that night.

According to the complaint, Kozak left the mall in the afternoon on June 12, went back to his condo and retrieved his 9 mm Glock handgun. He then returned to the mall and shot Farrington, who was staffing the mall information desk near the food court.

Kozak escaped from the mall after the shooting but was later found on Interstate 80 in Scott County and taken into custody.

According to court documents, 53 witnesses, including police, the Johnson County Medical Examiner and Farrington's mother and boyfriend, will testify.