Local News

Sentencing Set for Man Convicted of Independence Trooper’s Murder

The Grundy Center man found guilty of murdering an Iowa State Patrol Trooper from Independence will be sentenced in June.  

A jury found 42-year-old Michael Lang guilty of first-degree murder last week after two-and-half hours of deliberation.

Lang shot and killed Sgt. Jim Smith last April after Smith entered Lang’s home during a standoff with authorities. Lang had barricaded himself inside his home after assaulting a Grundy Center police officer following a traffic pursuit earlier that day.

In addition to first degree murder, Lang was also found guilty of attempted murder and assault on a peace officer in connection with the standoff. 

He will be sentenced to life in prison on June 27th.

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