Justice in the case of Patrick Ryan Thompson, 27, of Ames, charged with two counts of first degree murder for allegedly killing former Greene County sixth grader Paige Exline and her cousin, Shakiah Cockerham in a house fire, will be delayed only one week.
The trial was moved to Decatur County and began with jury selection Monday. Judge Brad McCall declared a mistrial after a member of the community talked loudly about the case within earshot of the jury.
The trial is now scheduled to begin next Monday, Sept. 24, at the Monroe County courthouse in Albia.
Thompson is charged with two counts of murder- first degree (Class A felonies), two counts of attempted murder (Class B felonies), and one count of arson- first degree (Class C felony) in connection with the house fire and deaths in Guthrie Center in May 2017.
Note: All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
