Trial Of Iowa Man Accused Of Murdering Teen 40 Years Ago Begins

Opening statements begin Wednesday morning in Davenport in the murder trial of Jerry Burns.

He's accused of stabbing 18-year-old Michelle Martinko to death in December of 1979. She was killed at the Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids after going shopping for a new winter jacket.

Martinko's body was found in her parents' vehicle behind the J.C. Penney store, and police say blood in the car connected Burns to the murder more than 40-years later.

The jury of nine women and six men was seated yesterday after roughly 100 prospective jurors were called to Scott County District Court on Monday.

Those opening statements begin at 9:00 a.m.


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