    A late October trial date has been set for the Chadron man charged with the city’s first homicide in nearly 13 years.
October 26-28 has been set aside for the trial of 21-year old Ian Little Moon, who commonly goes by the first name of Sage
Little Moon is charged with 1st-degree murder and felony use of a firearm in the July 23, 2021, death of 72-year old John Martinez in Chadron.
Because a large juror pool is expected to be needed, District Judge Travis O’Gorman will hold jury selection away from the courthouse with the Assumption Arena of St Patrick’s Catholic Church the top choice.
O’Gorman has also granted a defense request that Little Moon be allowed to appear for trial in civilian clothes and without shackles.
Little Moon is represented by Dawes County Public Defender Becca Chasek and the Nebraska Commission of Public Advocacy while County Attorney Vance Haug has given Assistant Attorney General Doug Warner the role of lead prosecutor.
LIttle Moon is accused of shooting Martinez, who was in a relationship with Little Moon’s 33-year old sister, with a rifle in a basement bedroom of the Martinez home.
Little Moon’s sister and her 4 children, who called Martinez their father, were all in the house at the time of the shooting.