Webster City, IA- The murder trial began Monday in Webster City for the man accused of killing an Iowa State Patrol trooper in a standoff last year.
Radio Iowa reports that 42-year-old Michael Lang is accused of shooting Sgt. Jim Smith in Lang’s Grundy Center home in a confrontation on April 9, 2021.
Lang, who himself was shot several times after police used an armored vehicle to breach his residence, is charged with murder, attempted murder and assaulting a police officer.
Smith was a 27-year member of the Iowa State Patrol at the time of his death last year. The trial was moved to Hamilton County in January on a change of venue due to extensive media coverage and public interest in the case.
Several witnesses will take the stand during the trial that will likely continue into next week.
