The man accused of shooting and killing Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith in Grundy Center will have his trial moved out of Grundy County. Judge Joel Dalrymple granted the request from defense lawyers who argued Michael Lang would be unable to receive a fair trial due to media coverage. No new location has been selected just yet. Dalrymple said he wanted it to be a county that was similar in size and composition to Grundy County. Buchanan County would have been a possibility but the county seat, Independence, was Smith’s hometown. Lang, a former candidate for Sheriff, is accused of barricading himself inside his home after running from a traffic stop where he allegedly assaulted another law enforcement officer. When troopers entered Lang’s home, he allegedly shot and killed Smith. Defense lawyers are also arguing the traffic stop should be treated as a seperate event.
