The trial of a former southwest Iowa police chief who’s charged with robbing a Cass County bank has been delayed again. According to recently released information, U.S. District Court Judge James Gritzner ordered a continuance in the case of 40-year-old Richard Dean Swope, of Atlantic, late last week.
Swope’s Attorney, James Wheelen requested the continuance because he says Swope’s psychiatric exams have not been completed and he needs more time to prepare for his clients’ defense.
It’s the fourth time the trial has been delayed. It had been scheduled to start Monday, but now it won’t be held until March Fifth. Last September, a central Iowa jury indicted Swope on charges he robbed the First National Bank in Anita on August Eighth.
Swope — who served as the Police Chief in Anita from 1993 to 1996 — allegedly fired a shot from a pistol during the incident, but no one was injured. If convicted, he faces up to 20-years in jail on the robbery charge, and an additional ten years for using a firearm.