Trial date set for Veal double-murder case; change of venue granted

MASON CITY – A man accused of a double-murder has had a trial date set and a change of venue out of Cerro Gordo county has been granted.

Thursday, Judge Rustin Davenport granted a change of venue for the double-murder trial of 31-year-old Peter Veal of Mason City. Veal allegedly murdered Caleb Christensen and Melinda Kavars on November 17 at a Mason City house, 1620 North Hampshire. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Judge Davenport ruled Veal competent to stand trial on May 23 after Veal was mentally evaluated.  His trial is scheduled for July 10, outside Cerro Gordo county in a venue to be named.

Days after the killings, the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted autopsies and determined that 54-year-old Melinda Kavars died of a single gunshot wound to the neck and chest. Her manner of death has been classified as a homicide.  Also, 37-year-old Caleb Christensen was found to have died of multiple sharp force injuries. His manner of death was classified as a homicide.

Veal remains held in the Cerro Gordo county jail on no bond.