The trial for an Ames man accused of setting fire to a Guthrie Center home and killing two young girls inside will resume next week. The trial for 27-year-old Patrick Ryan Thompson has been moved to Monroe County after the initial trial in Decatur County was declared a mistrial Monday. The new trial will begin on Monday, September 24th at 9am at the Monroe County Courthouse in Albia.

According to the judge’s order, on Monday a mistrial was granted for Thompson when a community member entered the Decatur County Courtroom and began talking loudly about the case during the jury selection process, as the prosecution and defense attorneys were in the judge’s chambers. Enough of the potential jury members heard the comments, which caused the judge to declare the mistrial.

Thompson is facing two class A felonies for first degree murder, two class B felonies for attempted murder, and one class C felony for first degree arson for the May 2017 incident. The fire resulted in the deaths of 12-year-old Paige Exline and 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you daily updates of the trial once it resumes on Monday.