Jury Convicts Lang of First Degree Murder in Independence Trooper’s Death

The man accused of murdering a State Patrol Trooper from Independence has been found guilty.

The jury took around two-and-a-half hours Monday to reach a verdict in the trial of 42-year-old Michael Lang of Grundy Center, which was moved to Hamilton County due to publicity surrounding the case. Lang was accused of shooting and killing Sergeant Jim Smith during a standoff last April.

That’s Judge Joel Dalrymple, reading the verdict. Lang was also convicted on two other charges for shooting at a police vehicle and for the assault on a Grundy Center Police officer which started the chain of events. 

Lang will be sentenced to life in prison. He’ll be held without bail until sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

story courtesy of Radio Iowa