The trial is set to be held in the Jones County Courthouse in Anamosa.
Michael Dutcher, 28, and Thomas Woodard, 39, each face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted murder. They filed written pleas of not guilty earlier this month.
Authorities say Dutcher and Woodard killed correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte and severely injured fellow prisoner McKinley Roby, who attempted to intervene in the attack. They said the two prisoners also briefly held dental assistant Lorie Matthes against her will.
Officials said the pair, as members of a prison work detail, had gone to the infirmary with hammers and a grinder to break windows and saw through bars in an escape attempt, and used the hammers in the assaults on McFarland, Schulte and Roby.
Photo: MGNonline. Created: April 26, 2021 10:48 AM
ANAMOSA, Iowa - Trial has been set for two prison inmates accused of using a hammer to kill a prison nurse and correctional officer during an escape attempt last month. Station WHO-TV reports that Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard Jr. are scheduled to go on trial June 22 in Jones County for the March 23 deaths of nurse Lorena Schulte and correctional officer Robert McFarland. Authorities say the workers were killed during a failed escape attempt by Dutcher and Woodard. Both inmates were serving time for armed robbery convictions at the time of the killings, and both pleaded not guilty earlier this month to two counts each of first-degree murder and other charges.
By Dave Bohl
Apr 26, 2021
(Jones County, Iowa) A trial date is set for the two Anamosa State Penitentiary inmates accused of killing two staff members during an escape attempt last month.
Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard Jr. will stand trial on June 22nd in Jones County. The two men are accused of killing prison nurse Lorena Schulte and correctional officer Robert McFarland with hammers on March 23rd.
Investigators also so say Dutcher and Woodard took another prison worker hostage during the failed escape attempt.
Both men are facing multiple charges. Dutcher and Woodard will remain in custody at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison until the trial date.
By Dave Bohl
Apr 26, 2021
(Jones County, Iowa) A trial date is set for the two Anamosa State Penitentiary inmates accused of killing two staff members during an escape attempt last month.
Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard Jr. will stand trial on June 22nd in Jones County. The two men are accused of killing prison nurse Lorena Schulte and correctional officer Robert McFarland with hammers on March 23rd.
Investigators also so say Dutcher and Woodard took another prison worker hostage during the failed escape attempt.
Both men are facing multiple charges. Dutcher and Woodard will remain in custody at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison until the trial date.
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