DES MOINES (AP) — Jury selection is expected to resume Monday in the long-delayed second trial of an Ankeny man accused of having his wife’s lover killed.
In December 2011 the Iowa Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for Vern Huser. The court said Huser’s first-degree murder conviction in 2010 was largely based on hearsay testimony. Prosecutors say Huser paid Louis Woolheater to kill Lance Morningstar, who had an affair with Huser’s wife. Morningstar’s body was found near Altoona in 2005. Woolheater is serving a life sentence.
Since the Appeals Court’s ruling, Huser’s second trial has been pushed back to give defense attorney Alfredo Parrish more time to prepare and make motions.
The Des Moines Register reported jury selection began Friday and is expected to continue through Monday.