An Ottumwa man accused of murdering his wife last year is seeking to suppress the state’s evidence against him, according to court documents.
In documents filed earlier this week, attorneys for Gregory Showalter, 62, allege a deputy of the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office conducted an illegal warrantless search of vehicles registered to and owned by Showalter.
Additionally, the defense says the search warrant for the vehicles obtained by law enforcement for this incident was based on illegally obtained information. Therefore, the defense concludes that any items recovered from the search and seizure should not be used against Showalter in this case.
A court hearing to address the motion to suppress was scheduled for June 2 but a continuance was filed. A new date for the hearing has not been scheduled.
Authorities say Showalter shot and killed Helen Showalter on July 31, 2021. Helen was reported missing and on the following day, her body was found near the Des Moines River in rural Wapello County.
Gregory Showalter faces charges of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, willful injury, and domestic abuse assault. Showalter was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm but that charge was dropped.
