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Trial delayed for Iowa man charged in grandfather’s death

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March 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — Trial has again been delayed for an Iowa man charged in the stabbing death of his 84-year-old grandfather. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge on Friday agreed to give the defense team of 20-year-old Santos Rodriguez Jr. more time for evaluations and investigation. Rodriguez’s new trial date is May 1.

Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and arson. He’s accused of stabbing Luis Luevanos in his Rock Valley home on Oct. 29 and setting the man’s house on fire. Firefighters found Luevanos’ body later that day.

Police say Rodriguez was later arrested in Utah. Iowa investigators say Rodriguez admitted during a police interview to stabbing his grandfather and setting the fire.