A SIOUX CITY MAN WHO IS ONE OF TWO INMATES ACCUSED IN THE MURDERS OF TWO ANAMOSA STATE PRISON WORKERS WANTS A JUDGE TO DECIDE HIS CASE.
A JONES COUNTY JUDGE ACCEPTED THE REQUEST FROM MICHAEL DUTCHER TO WAIVE HIS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.
DUTCHER’S BENCH TRIAL WAS SET TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 3RD.
HE AND THOMAS WOODARD ARE CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN THE MARCH 23RD DEATHS OF ANAMOSA CORRECTIONAL OFFICER ROBERT MCFARLAND AND NURSE LORENA SCHULTE.
INVESTIGATORS SAY DUTCHER AND WOODARD WERE TRYING TO ESCAPE WHEN THEY BEAT MCFARLAND AND SCHULTE WITH HAMMERS.
THEY’RE ALSO CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.
WOODARD’S TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO START SEPTEMBER 21ST IN LINN COUNTY.
