Cherokee man accused of infant murder will have his trial moved
CHEROKEE, Iowa (KCAU) — A Cherokee man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his infant child will have his trial moved elsewhere.
According to court documents, on Monday, March 3, the state of Iowa approved a motion for change of venue by Luis Contreras-Deciga, 24. His attorney had cited the extensive media coverage of the case while arguing that seating an impartial jury in Cherokee County would be difficult.
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The new location of the trial has not yet been decided. Contreras-Deciga requested Polk County or Pottawattamie County in the Des Moines and Council Bluffs metro areas respectively. The court brought up Woodbury County and Kossuth County as other possible options.
The location will be determined after a trial date has been set. Contreras-Deciga has waived his right to a speedy trial.
Contreras-Deciga was charged with first-degree murder after an infant was reportedly found unresponsive on May 8, 2024 while under his care. After four days in the hospital, the infant was declared brain dead and deceased, with an autopsy finding the cause to be a homicide due to blunt force head injuries.
Authorities interviewed Contreras-Deciga, who allegedly said the infant became unresponsive when he 'violently shook the infant while asking the infant what he needed.' He then called the mother to call for emergency assistance.
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Authorities also examined Contreras-Deciga's phone and found messages between him and another person who told Contreras-Deciga to deny any aggressive behavior and to 'be consistent with his version of events,' documents say.
Contreras-Deciga was arrested in Dec. 2024 and pleaded not guilty in Jan. 2025.
Wesley Thoene contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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