Trial to begin March 31 for Iowan accused of killing mom, 80

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) - A trial is scheduled to begin March 31 for a northwest Iowa man accused of killing his 80-year-old mother this past summer.

Jonathan Neunaber has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. Authorities say in court documents that Neunaber acknowledged killing his mother on or about June 26. The bodies of Esther Neunaber and her 83-year-old husband, Donald Neunaber, were found July 9 in the Akron home they shared with their son.

Authorities say Donald Neunaber died of natural causes. An autopsy determined that his wife died of blunt force injuries.