Trial Set for Sex Abuse and Plot to Poison the Victim

OSAGE, Iowa (AP) — Cases have been consolidated and a new trial starting date has been scheduled for an Osage man accused of sex abuse and of a plan to poison the person he's accused of abusing.

Mark Retterath will be tried in Franklin County on one count of attempted murder, one of second-degree sexual abuse, three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, one count of solicitation to commit murder and one count of solicitation to commit a felony. He'd been set for trial this week on two counts, with a trial on the remaining counts to be held later.

A judge granted a prosecution motion to combine the cases and hold just one trial in Franklin County. The trial is set to start Aug. 15.