BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has denied a change of venue request for a man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Burlington bicyclist.
The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that the trial of Joshua “JD” Royer will remain in Des Moines County District Court, for now.
Police say Royer shot 50-year-old Eddie Martin Cooper multiple times on the afternoon of Aug. 6 as Cooper was riding his bike.
Investigators have said it doesn’t appear Martin and Royer knew each other.
Judge Mary Ann Brown said Friday that she did not find proof of prejudice to Royer in news articles written about the killing. But she said she’d revisit the issue if it becomes apparent an impartial jury cannot be seated.
