North Iowa Murder Suspect Questions Ability to Get a Fair Trial in Chickasaw County
A Charles City man, accused of a north Iowa murder over 10 years ago, is questioning whether he can get a fair trial in Chickasaw County.
51-year-old Randy Patrie is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2012 death of 70-year-old Carl Kenneth Gallmeyer at Gallmeyer’s residence north of Nashua. An investigation by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Charles City Police and Iowa DCI led to a search of Patrie’s Charles City home in July 2013, which authorities say resulted in locating items owned by Gallmeyer including the gun believed used to kill him.
In April 2022, Patrie pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for October 18th in Chickasaw County District Court, just over a decade after Gallmeyer’s death.
Tuesday (08.15), the defense filed a motion that questions whether Patrie can get a fair trial in Chickasaw County, noting extensive media pretrial coverage. Their argument also includes reference to the 2015 trial of Casey Frederiksen who was accused (and subsequently convicted) of murdering Evelyn Miller in Floyd County, when Frederiksen’s defense counsel tried to implicate Patrie in the child’s death.
The defense is also seeking to define parameters of questions that might be asked of potential jurors, which they feel could determine if Patrie’s right to a fair and impartial trial can be preserved in the current venue.
Patrie continues to be held in the Fayette County Jail in West Union awaiting trial.
