Le Mars, Iowa — There have been some developments in the case of a northwest Iowa man who pled not guilty after he was accused of allegedly stabbing his sister last year.
Authorities say 34-year-old Thomas Bibler of Le Mars was taken into custody following a fatal stabbing that happened the evening of Saturday, June 11, 2016. Bibler is accused of fatally stabbing his 27-year-old sister, Shannon Bogh. Witnesses to the stabbing identified Bibler as the suspect.
Bibler entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of First Degree Murder, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, and Going Armed With Intent. First Degree Murder is a class A Felony. If convicted, Bibler would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
In late March, Bibler’s attorney filed a waiver of Bibler’s right to a jury trial. The trial that was to have been this month, has been postponed to a date yet to be set by the court.
At a hearing on Monday, May 22nd, 2017, court records indicate that Judge Jeffrey Neary gave the defense time to respond to a motion in limine filed by the prosecution. A motion in limine is normally a motion that comes before the court before the case goes to trial. Most often it concerns evidence with which there is a legal problem, that if it is brought to trial might unfairly prejudice one side or the other. Court records say Judge Neary is giving Bibler until June 2nd to respond to the motion. The records say the date for the trial will be reset after conferring with the court on June 12th.
