LE MARS — A judge will review video and a transcript of a homicide suspect’s interview with investigators to determine if his statements can be used as evidence at his upcoming trial.
Plymouth County Attorney Darin Raymond submitted the copies during a 10-minute hearing Friday. He argued that Jonathan Neunaber’s statements are admissible evidence.
Neunaber, of Akron, Iowa, is charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of his 80-year-old mother, Esther Neunaber.
Public defender Billy Oyadare is seeking to suppress Neunaber’s statements, saying Neunaber was never given the opportunity to have an attorney present and that an investigator continued to question him after he invoked his right to remain silent.
District Judge Steven Andreasen will take the matter under consideration once both sides file briefs in support of their position. Andreasen said he would set a trial date once he rules on whether Neunaber’s statements to police are admissible.