A northeast Iowa man accused of killing his wife earlier this year is seeking new legal counsel.
40-year-old Brandon Kasemeier is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier. Waukon Police found her deceased inside their residence in the 100 block of 1st Avenue Southwest on January 22nd. Also recovered was an empty handgun case and several fired .22 caliber cartridge casings.Â
It’s believed Jamie Kasemeir was killed on January 21st, the last day family members say they heard from her. On January 23rd, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brandon Kasemeier some 900 miles away in Loveland, Colorado, and allegedly found a .22 (caliber) revolver in his car.
Kasemeier initially entered a not guilty plea, but in April, defense counsel filed for “further proceedings for the purpose of a change of plea and sentencing as the parties have reached an agreement.†At that time, his trial was canceled.
Kasemeier was then scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing June 10th in Allamakee County District Court, but no plea was entered and no sentence was handed out. Instead, a “trial status review conference†was scheduled for July 1st, which could mean a trial is imminent.
July 1st is also now the same date a judge will hear a request by Aaron Hawbaker, Kasemeier’s current attorney, to withdraw as his legal counsel. In his motion filed on Tuesday (06.18), Hawbaker noted that, after a 30-minute conversation with Kasemeier earlier in the day, it was clear there was a serious breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.
On Thursday (06.20), Kasemeier filed an application to be appointed new counsel.Â
