Cherokee, Iowa — A Cherokee man accused of running over another man has pleaded not guilty to one count of 1st Degree Murder.
According to court documents, 66-year-old Richard Hammond filed the written plea of not guilty, which was entered on Monday. Hammond allegedly ran over and killed 47-year-old Christopher Wheeler of Sutherland at a farm place east of Cherokee shortly after midnight on April 21st. Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies and other agencies attempted lifesaving measures, but Wheeler was pronounced dead a short time later. Witnesses stated that Hammond “100 percent attempted to run over the victim.”
Hammond was booked into the Cherokee County Jail, but was released after posting the 100-thousand-dollar cash or surety bond the day after the alleged incident.
Hammond’s next court date has not been set. He waived his right to a speedy trial. If convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Hammond would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
