–State Prosecutors are asking the court to consider several factors before ruling on a change of venue request from Kyle Lou Ricke, the man accused of killing an Algona Police Officer last fall.
In court documents filed this week, Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown concedes that finding an impartial jury in Kossuth County would not be possible, and the trial would be better situated elsewhere. While the state is not fighting the change of venue, they are arguing that the defendant does not have the right to select where the trial is held.
The state is requesting that if the trial is moved, it be held in a county that has similar demographics to Kossuth County, and a courthouse that is easily accessible and not congested during the time frame scheduled for trial. The state is also asking the court to consider the convenience of travel for both the State and Defense witnesses, and the family of Officer Kevin Cram when selecting a venue.
Ricke’s attorneys are also asking for a mental competency hearing and a continuance in the case, so proper time can be spent ruling on these motions. The trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 25th.
