Trials are reset for two men charged with kidnapping and killing Melody Hoffman, 20, of Marion, on Feb. 17. Dakota Van Patten, 18, of Cedar Rapids, will be tried Aug. 26, and McKinley Louisma, 23, of Hiawatha, will be tried tentatively Nov. 4, in Linn County District Court.
Linn County prosecutor says investigation leading to three arrests in the kidnapping and fatal assault of 20-year-old Marion woman is the ‘swiftest’ during his tenure. He attributes it to the dedication and work ethic of the multiple law enforcement agencies investigating the slaying.