Storm Lake murder trial goes to the judge

Testimony in the first-degree murder trial of George Pittman concluded this morning in Buena Vista County District Court. Pittman was charged with the stabbing death last September 23rd of hiswife, Keo Gail Pittman, at the couple’s home in Storm Lake. During closing arguments, prosecutor Charles Thoman said it was clear Keo Pittman was stabbed… that she died of those stab wounds… and there was motive for Pittman to have stabbed Keo. Thoman said testimony showed Pittman reacted with anger, hostility, and rage when he found out another man was living with his wife while he was in prison. Thoman said six witnesses heard Pittman threaten to kill his wife, including Pittman’s own son. Defense attorney Paul Miller said there probably were threats made…but that doesn’t prove murder. He argued there was no sign of struggle in the Pittman’s bedroom… and no identifiable fingerprints were found on theknife discovered in Keo’s hand. Miller also noted the state medicalexaminer ruled the cause of Keo’s death was undetermined… and said hertestimony raises reasonable doubt. The case is now in the hands of judge Frank Nelson.