Trial postponed for accused killer of Lafayette officer as attorneys consider insanity defense

by: The Advocate

Posted: Dec 4, 2018 / 07:17 PM CST

Updated: Dec 4, 2018 / 07:17 PM CST

The first trial for the man accused of fatally shooting a Lafayette police officer and wounding three others was postponed Tuesday to allow defense attorneys more time to consider an insanity plea.

Ian Howard is charged with killing Officer Michael Middlebrook and shooting three others Oct. 1, 2017, at a Lafayette convenience store. District Attorney Keith Stutes’ Office is seeking the death penalty in the Middlebrook case.

A trial for the three attempted murder charges had been set for Jan. 7, and Tuesday was the deadline set for Howard’s attorneys to decide whether to pursue an insanity defense. That deadline has been extended to Jan. 15, at which time a trial date will be set. Judge Jules Edwards said he expects a trial no later than November 2019.