Opening statements planned in trial of man accused of killing revered Iowa HS football coach
By APFriday, February 12, 2010
Trial opens in slaying of Iowa HS football coach
SHELL ROCK, Iowa — Opening statements are set to get under way in the trial of a man accused of gunning down a revered high school football coach in Iowa.
Mark D. Becker is accused of killing Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas in the school’s weight room last year. His trial is scheduled to begin at the Butler County Courthouse on Friday.
The 24-year-old’s defense attorney has said she’ll ask jurors to find Becker not guilty by reason of insanity or diminished responsibility.
Becker played football for Thomas in high school. He is accused of shooting the coach to death in front of more than 20 students on June 24.
Thomas led the northeast Iowa team for 34 seasons and was the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2005. Four of his players are now in the NFL.
