A U.S. district judge has denied a motion for dismissal in the case against a Minneapolis man charged in connections with the 2004 break-in at the University of Iowa’s Spence Labs and Seashore Hall, according to federal court documents.

Scott DeMuth’s attorneys filed motions to dismiss for numerous reasons on Feb. 4.

On Nov. 14, 2004, four masked individuals broke into Spence Labs and Seashore Hall and caused approximately $450,000 in damage. The Animal Liberation Front has claimed credit for the break-in.

DeMuth’s trial is set for May 3 in Davenport.

— by Sam Lane