Jury selection has wrapped up and testimony is underway in the 1st Degree Murder Trial of Kyle Lou Ricke in Spirit Lake. The jury of 8 men and 6 women was finalized this morning after beginning Monday morning at the Dickinson County Courthouse.
Judge Nancy Whittenburg took time to address those that were not selected for the jury in this case, thanking them for reporting as called and dismissing them after about half an hour this morning.
Assistant Attorney General Ryan Baldridge presented the Prosecution’s opening statement to the jury, and he highlighted the evidence that will be provided over the next few days. Baldridge told the jury that the defendant shot Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram 8 times at point blank range on the evening of September 13th, 2023
Attorney Barbara Westphal offered the defense’s opening statement, telling the jury that the defendant did not act with premeditation on that night, and panicked after he learned he was being arrested on a warrant for harassment in Palo Alto County.
Following opening statements, the State called Algona Assistant Police Chief Mark Bacha to testify as to what he saw while on duty that night and Don Heidner, the dispatcher on duty that evening at the Kossuth County Communications Center.
