Fairfax gunman to stand trial in July

(Olivia, MN) – A trial date has been set for an Olivia man accusing of shooting a man who worked with his wife at a Fairfax convenience store in January.

59-year-old Michael Klatt is charged with Attempted 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree and 2nd Degree Assault, and pleaded not guilty to all three charges in Renville County District Court last Friday.

Judge Laurence Stratton set a pre-trial hearing date of June 21st, and Klatt’s jury trial is slated to go from July 16th through the 19th. He is accused of coming into the Smart Mart in Fairfax January 11th and shooting employee Kenneth Eckstein of Hector. He reportedly blamed Eckstein for encouraging Klatt’s wife, who also works at the store, to leave him. Eckstein suffered wounds to his face and hand, but was still able to fight back and knock Klatt unconscious.

Klatt is being held on 500,000 dollars unconditional and 200,000 dollars conditional bail.

Click here to LIKE Southern Minnesota News on Facebook.

Click here to FOLLOW @SouthernMNnews on Twitter.

(Copyright © 2019 Southern Minnesota News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)