Jurors begin deliberations in Iowa cold case murder trial

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Jurors began deliberations Monday in the Iowa cold case trial of a man accused of killing a high school student more than 40 years ago.

Lawyers completed closing arguments and gave the case to jurors after testimony concluded Friday in the trial of Jerry Burns, 66. He's accused of fatally stabbing 18-year-old Michelle Martinko on Dec. 19, 1979, in Cedar Rapids. Her lungs and aorta were pierced, and she lost about a third of her blood, according to testimony.

Her body was found the next day inside her family's car outside a shopping mall.

Burns didn't testify, and his defense called only one witness.

The trial was moved to Scott County District Court in Davenport because of pretrial publicity in Cedar Rapids.