A Decorah Iowa man accused of killing his father may be in line for a new trial date.
44-year-old Aaron Whittle of Decorah was arrested on March 20th and is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 74-year-old Lawrence Whittle in Aaron Whittle’s home three days earlier. Whittle has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial on February 20, 2023.
Wednesday, a judge ruled to move a pre-trial hearing from January 31st to February 7th, which would lead to a new date for Whittle’s jury trial.
Also on Wednesday, a hearing on the change of venue request by the defense was held in Winneshiek County District Court. Whittle’s attorney, Les Blair, cited pre-trial publicity by media outlets, including KCHA/KCZE, as well as social media, will make it difficult to find an impartial jury.
Winneshiek County Attorney Andrew Van Der Maaten resisted the request, countering that the pretrial media coverage of the case has been factual and accurate as well as non-prejudicial or editorial in nature against the defendant.
No decision was made by the judge hearing the motions.
Whittle remains in the Winneshiek County Jail in Decorah on a $1 million cash or surety bond.
