A POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY JURY HAS CONVICTED A SIOUX CITY MAN OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN A FATAL 2016 STABBING.
IT TOOK THE JURY ONE DAY OF DELIBERATIONS TO REACH THE VERDICT IN THE CASE OF ELIAS WANATEE, WHO WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF 50 YEAR OLD VERNON MACE OUTSIDE OF A HOME ON WEST FIRST STREET LAST FEBRUARY 7TH.
A SENTENCING DATE FOR WANATEE, WHO FACES UP TO 50 YEARS IN PRISON, IS EXPECTED TO BE SET FOR WOODBURY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.
A MISTRIAL WAS DECLARED IN WANATEE’S FIRST TRIAL IN WOODBURY COUNTY LAST DECEMBER WHEN THAT JURY FAILED TO REACH A VERDICT IN THE CASE.
THE NEW TRIAL WAS MOVED TO COUNCIL BLUFFS ON A CHANGE OF VENUE ORDER.
