Jurors to resume deliberations in fate of Iowa man accused of fatally shooting football coach

Jury deliberates case of slain Iowa football coach

ALLISON, Iowa — Jurors are set to deliberate the fate of an Iowa man accused of fatally shooting a nationally known football coach at his former high school.

The 12-member jury is expected to try Thursday to reach a verdict in the first-degree murder trial of 24-year-old Mark Becker. Jurors spent four hours deliberating following closing arguments Wednesday.

Becker has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the June death of 58-year-old Ed Thomas. Investigators say Becker shot the Aplington-Parkersburg coach at least six times in front of students, then walked away.

Prosecutors say Becker carefully planned the attack. Defense lawyers say Becker is a paranoid schizophrenic whose delusions were so severe that he was incapable of telling right from wrong.