Tama County murder trial continued over concerns about racial makeup of jury panel

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jury selection was halted before it resumed Tuesday in the murder trial of a Tama County man accused in his wife's fatal stabbing last year because the defense asked for a continuance based on the 'composition” of the jury panel.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Stephen Jackson granted the motion to allow more time to investigate the matter before proceeding with the trial of Dustin Jefferson, 38, who is charged with first-degree murder.

Thomas Gaul, Jefferson's attorney, made the oral motion before jury selection resumed regarding concerns over the racial makeup of the panel. Jefferson is a member of the Meskwaki Settlement and there were only two, out of 84, who identified themselves as Native Americans. Gaul said Jefferson was entitled to a jury of his peers.

Gaul asked the judge for more time to investigate how jurors are summoned for jury duty. Tama County District Attorney Brent Heeren and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Laura Roan didn't resist the continuance.

Jackson said the trial will likely be continued to May.

Jefferson is accused of killing or aiding and abetting in the killing of his wife Kerry O'Clair Jefferson, 32, Sept. 25, 2013, according to the criminal complaint.

Jefferson's mother, Ginger Jefferson, was convicted of first-degree murder in May. According to trial testimony, she stabbed her daughter-in-law twice in the neck during a family quarrel.

During that trial, the defense attempted to implicate Dustin Jefferson in the crime. According to testimony, O'Clair Jefferson called police that day to report where to find her husband, who was wanted for sexual abuse in another case. When police arrived about 10 minutes later, they found Dustin Jefferson driving up to his cousin's home, where O'Clair Jefferson was killed.

Police testified Dustin Jefferson didn't immediately get out of the car and at one point, he appeared to consider an escape, but instead, got out of the car and told them his wife might be dead. One officer also testified he had blood on his clothing.

If convicted, Dustin Jefferson faces life in prison without parole. He also faces five counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor stemming from a May 1, 2013, incident.

The sex abuse trial is set for March 23.