Zimmerman trial moved to Adair County on change of venue
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Former Ringgold County Conservation Director Kate Zimmerman will have an opportunity to plead her case against the State of Iowa later this month.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Tammy Westhoff Gentry of Parrish Kruidenier Gentry, Brown, Bermann & Messamer, L.L.P. requested a change of venue due to conflicts of interest with the Ringgold County Attorney’s Office.
The criminal complaints against Zimmerman stem from a December 5, 2022 incident at Poe Hollow Park when Zimmerman, acting in her official capacity, denied Ringgold County deputies and bomb technicians entrance to the facility to detonate an explosive device found earlier that morning. The charges also include an allegation Zimmerman falsely reported that Ringgold County Supervisor Colby Holmes struck her with his truck.
Prior to the criminal complaints being filed in this matter, Zimmerman initiated a civil rights complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission against Ringgold County and various county employees, including Colby Holmes, for employment discrimination and retaliation. According to court documents filed by Zimmerman’s counsel on July 12, 2023, this separate matter is still ongoing, and litigation is pending.
The jury trial originally scheduled for October 4, 2023 in Ringgold County, is now in the process of being rescheduled in Adair County.
A pre-trial conference will be held at 2:30 p.m. on October 19, 2023 at the Adair County Courthouse.
The Record-News will be reporting on the details of this trial as more information becomes available.
