Prosecutors respond in Spence trial

BY Daily Iowan Staff
FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Prosecutors in the trial of a Minneapolis man charged in connection with the 2004 break-in at the University of Iowa Spence Labs and Seashore Hall have filed responses to the defendant's motions, according to federal court documents.

Scott DeMuth, 22, is charged with conspiracy and conspiracy to commit animal-enterprise terrorism. On Nov. 14, 2004, four masked individuals broke into Spence Labs and Seashore Hall and caused around $450,000 in damage. The Animal Liberation Front has claimed credit for the break-in.

The United State's Attorney's Office, submitted two responses to defense motions on Feb. 16.

The prosecution agreed to provide the defense with all items that comply with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure but requested four other motions be stricken or denied, including a request of notice of the government's intent to use discoverable evidence.

DeMuth's attorneys then submitted replies to the prosecution's responses on Feb. 19, saying the response lacked a number of items. In their reply to the pretrial motions response, defense attorneys detail reasons for which they contend they are entitled to the evidence.

The parties will meet today in Davenport for a hearing to discuss the issues.

- by Sam Lane