Grundy Center, Iowa — The man accused of killing an Iowa State Patrol trooper during a standoff in Grundy Center last year has filed notice that he plans to claim self-defense.
Forty-two-year-old Michael Lang is accused of shooting Sergeant Jim Smith in Lang’s Grundy Center home in a confrontation on April 9th, 2021.
Lang, who himself was shot several times after police used an armored vehicle to breach his residence, is charged with murder, attempted murder, and assaulting a police officer.
Lang entered a not guilty plea almost a year ago. This past week, Lang’s attorney filed notice of their intent to claim self-defense. Prosecutors filed a request that the judge prevent testimony supporting a claim that the shooting was justified under Iowa’s “Stand Your Ground” law. They say that the “Stand Your Ground Law” cannot be used to resist arrest, whether the arrest is lawful or not.
A pretiral conference is scheduled for this Monday in Grundy Center, with the jury trial scheduled to begin Monday, May 9th in Hamilton County District Court in Webster City. A change of venue out of Grundy County was approved in January due to extensive media coverage and public interest in the case.
Photo of Sgt. Smith courtesy of the Iowa Department of Public Safety
