The trial for the man accused of killing 18 year old high school student Michelle Martinko nearly 40 years ago has been moved to Scott County.
According to KWQC-TV 6 the attorney for 65-year-old Jerry Burns of Manchester filed a motion on November 25 for a change of venue from Linn County.
His attorney argued the pretrial publicity made it unlikely Burns could receive a fair trial there. On December 6 prosecutors agreed there was enough prejudice in Linn County that it was likely Burns would not receive a fair trial.
On Monday, a judge ruled the first-degree murder trial would be moved to Scott County. His trial will still begin as scheduled on February 10, 2020.
Police arrested Burns last December, 39 years to the day after Martinko was killed. Her body was found the next day inside her family's car at a Cedar Rapids mall. She had been stabbed to death.
Investigators used DNA to link Burns to the crime.
(Photo: KWQC-TV 6)