Prosecuting Man Accused of North Iowa Murder 10 Years Ago Presents Significant Challenge

The trial of a man accused in the shooting death of a Nashua man 10 years ago is still over three months away. Trying the case after that much time has passed won’t be easy for the prosecution.

Randy Patrie is charged with first-degree murder in the late-September/early-October 2012 death of 70-year-old Kenneth Gallmeyer at Gallmeyer’s home north of Nashua. An investigation by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Charles City Police and Iowa DCI, led to the discovery of various items owned by Gallmeyer inside Patrie’s Charles City home, including a shotgun officials say was consistent with the weapon that killed Gallmeyer.

However, before local law enforcement could proceed with their case, Patrie was sentenced in 2014 to life in federal prison on felony firearms charges and for being a career criminal. Then, in 2018, Patrie was resentenced to 20 years in federal prison, opening the door for his prosecution in Chickasaw County to resume.

Chickasaw County Attorney David Laudner says prosecuting the case a decade later presents a significant challenge.

Still, Laudner says he’s confident they can present a good case against Patrie when his trial starts January 25, 2023, at the Chickasaw Courthouse  in New Hampton. 

Patrie is currently in the Fayette County Jail in West Union.