TOP STORY: Prosecution in the Aaron Whittle murder case lists the witnesses it may call on to testify

The jury trial of Decorah resident Aaron Whittle, charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his stepfather, is scheduled to take place October 3rd. However, Whittle's defense attorney has filed a motion in Winneshiek County District Court asking for a delay in the trial date. Assistant Public Defender Les Blair III says in the court papers "discovery and other matters necessary for the resolution are ongoing." Blair says he has contacted prosecutors in the case, who will not resist the motion for a delay in the trial date. Meanwhile, prosecutors have filed papers with District Court listing almost 20 witnesses they could call on to testify in Whittle's trial. Criminalist Karlee Schneider, Criminalist Michael Tate, Criminalist Justin Grodnitzky, and Criminalist Joe Morrett, all of whom work at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Laboratory in Ames, could testify. Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner Dr. Kelly Kruse is also listed as a potential witness, as is Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Heather Garvin. Special Investigator Lolly Witt of the Iowa Department of Public Safety also could testify. Local law enforcement officers also are listed as potential witnesses at the murder trial: Deputy Jeff Berns and Deputy Andrew Hageman of the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office, as well as Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx. Others listed as potential witnesses are Decorah residents Jesse Massman, Henry Wilkins, Charles Casterton, Wyatt Beebe, and Alan Whittle, as well as Viking State Bank representative Duane Tlusty or a designee; Gary Whittle of Harpers Ferry; Eileen Curtin of Lansing and two representatives from Norby's Farm Fleet--Nathan Munley and Zach Davison.