The trial for an Ames man accused of setting fire to a Guthrie Center home and killing two young girls inside resumes today. The trial for 27-year-old Patrick Ryan Thompson was moved to Monroe County after the initial trial in Decatur County was declared a mistrial on September 17th.

According to the judge’s order, the mistrial was granted 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.

The trial is the latest in a series of connected cases. Last month Thompson’s stepfather James Exline was sentenced to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing Paige between June 2016 and April 2017. Noah Exline, Paige’s brother and Thompson’s stepbrother, is scheduled to have his trial in October. He faces several felony charges for sexually abusing Paige.

Paige and Cockerham’s grandmother Shirley Exline, as well as their uncle William Long III, were injured in the fire but survived. The trial was originally scheduled to take place in Guthrie County, but a motion for a new trial was granted due to excess media exposure and the inability to select a fair jury.

Thompson faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted of first degree murder, and up to 25 years if convicted on any of the other charges. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you daily updates from the trial.