Sentencing Set for Man Convicted of Independence Trooper’s Murder

The Grundy Center man found guilty of murdering an Iowa State Patrol Trooper from Independence will be sentenced in June.  

A jury found 42-year-old Michael Lang guilty of first-degree murder last week after two-and-half hours of deliberation.

Lang shot and killed Sgt. Jim Smith last April after Smith entered Lang’s home during a standoff with authorities. Lang had barricaded himself inside his home after assaulting a Grundy Center police officer following a traffic pursuit earlier that day.

In addition to first degree murder, Lang was also found guilty of attempted murder and assault on a peace officer in connection with the standoff. 

He will be sentenced to life in prison on June 27th.