According to court documents published on Oct. 22, the trial of Curtis Jones, suspected of killing cab driver Ricky Lillie, will take place on April 9, 2018.
The trial will take place in Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, instead of the Johnson County Courthouse.
Jones’ defense attorneys requested a venue change and delay for the trial, claiming the local media coverage would make it difficult to find an unbiased jury in the local population.
Previously, Jones’ defense had argued his case was improperly handled when he was interrogated under the influence of drugs and was improperly read his Miranda rights.
According to a press release sent out by the Iowa City police, Lillie, a cab driver for Yellow Cab, was found dead in his taxi on the morning of June 28. Jones took a ride in Lillie’s cab on that night and allegedly shot him in the head. Surveillance footage showed Jones leaving the site where Lillie’s body was found.
Jones was charged in Lillie’s homicide on July 19. He was also arrested and charged with second-degree robbery in Keokuk County on June 30.
Jones was also questioned about a slaying of a bail bondsman in April in Iowa City.
If Jones is convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jones is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $1 million bond.