(Spirit Lake)– A jury has been seated and testimony got underway today (Tues.) in the trial of Kyle Ricke, who’s accused of fatally shooting Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram on September 13th, 2023. It happened as Cram was attempting to serve a warrant on Ricke out of Palo Alto county charging him with harassment. Ricke was charged with 1st degree murder after being arrested a day later in Minnesota.
In opening statements, prosecutor Ryan Baldridge, Assistant Attorney General, told jurors evidence he plans to present will show Ricke shot Cram eight times from point blank range.
In her opening arguments, defense Attorney Barbara Westphal told jurors the shooting was not premeditated.
Among those testifying today (Tues.) were Mark Bacha, Algona Assistant Police Chief who was on duty the night of the shooting, and a dispatcher for the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office who took the 911 call when the incident took place.
Testimony is expected to continue over the next couple of days.
The trial was moved to Spirit Lake from Algona on a change of venue due to pre-trial publicity.
