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Judge grants western IA slaying suspect’s request for aid

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September 7th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — Taxpayers will help fund the defense for a woman charged with fatally shooting a 20-year-old man at her home in western Iowa in 2001. Online court records show District Judge Kurt L. Wilke on Tuesday ruled that Tracey Richter-Roberts can hire a criminal investigator, a private investigator and a psychologist at the state’s expense for a total cost no greater than $6,750. A prosecutor had opposed her request.

Richter-Roberts was arrested in July and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Dustin Wehde at her home in Early. She has pleaded not guilty and says she was defending herself from a home invasion.

Trial is scheduled for later this month but Wilke has suggested it could be delayed.