The retrial of a southeast Iowa man charged in the shooting death of his pregnant wife will be moved out of Ottumwa. Lawyers for the state and the defense were back in a courtroom Monday on a motion to move the retrial of Seth Techel.
Last month, a Wapello County District Court jury could not reach a verdict in the trial that lasted three weeks. Judge Daniel Wilson told the lawyers he will file a ruling for a change of venue, although a new location has not yet been determined. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys said they want a change of venue because of extensive media coverage.
State attorneys have suggested the retrial could be held in either Henry and Lee County. Techel remains in the Monroe County jail in Albia on a $75,000 bond.
Techel is charged with murder and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy in connection with the death of his wife, Lisa Techel. She was shot in May at their home near Agency.
By Mike Buchanan, KBIZ, Ottumwa