Man accused of killing wife wants trial moved to another county

A Cedar Rapids man accused of strangling his wife to death last summer asked the court Monday to move his trial to another county based on 'extensive” pre-trial coverage which prevents him from a fair and impartial trial.

Shawn Crowley, 44, is charged with first-degree murder in Linn County District Court. He is accused of strangling Chantele Crowley, 39, in her mobile home June 30, 2014 in Cedar Rapids, according to a criminal complaint. A later autopsy confirmed the woman died from strangulation.

Defense attorneys Tyler Johnston and Katie Frank argued in their motion the media coverage and publicity of this case and crime has been 'extensive” and has created 'an actual prejudice against the defendant.” Several news articles and other exhibits were submitted to the court.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler argued against moving the trial out of Linn County, saying none of the pre-trial publicity rises to the level of being so 'pervasive and inflammatory” that it would cause prejudice to the defendant. He added the defense's motion doesn't cite examples that demonstrate how the articles or reports risk prejudice to the defendant.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover-Grinde took the motion under advisement and will make a ruling later.

According to the criminal complaint, Shawn Crowley allegedly told several witnesses that he killed his wife before turning himself in to police later that night. Investigators found a cellphone charging cord near the woman's body after receiving a request from family to conduct a welfare check. He and Chantele, who had a history of domestic incidents according to protective petitions filed in court, lived in the mobile home at the time of the incident.

Shawn Crowley's trial is set for Aug. 31. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in the Linn County Jail on a $1 million bond.