carlson-hernandez-venturaA jury trial for a Perry man accused of killing three people is ongoing in Dallas County District Court.

Testimony from the State of Iowa and the public defenders appointed to 25 year-old Carlos Hernandez-Ventura is expected to continue through the middle of next week. Dozens of exhibits have been submitted by Assistant County Attorney Sean P. Wieser on behalf of the state.

According to court documents, Hernandez-Ventura pled not guilty to three counts of first degree murder in a written arraignment. He is accused of killing 34 year-old Lourdes Flor De Leake and 14 year-old Melany Elizabeth Barraza inside a home at 802 6th Street in Perry on October 30th, 2016. A third victim, 78 year-old Juan Jimanez Tejeda was also attacked at the home and later died of his injuries.

Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn told Raccoon Valley Radio in November De Leake and Barraza both died of injuries sustained from repeated strikes of a machete, and it was a very violent crime scene to respond to. De Leake and Hernandez-Ventura were believed to be in a domestic relationship.