There’s a new trial date for a Cedar Falls man accused of killing another man, who was openly gay. Jury selection is now scheduled to begin July 26th in the first-degree murder trial of 23-year-old Joseph Lawrence. A judge moved the trial date from May 31st after Lawrence waved his right to a speedy trial. Lawrence is accused in the stabbing and beating death of 29-year-old Jason Gage, who’s body was discovered in his downtown Waterloo apartment on March 12th. Police say Lawrence admitted that he beat Gage in the head with a bottle, then stabbed him in the neck with a piece of glass. Gage was openly gay, and police say Lawrence told his girlfriend that he killed Gage when Gage made sexual advances. Lawrence has entered a plea of not guilty.
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