Cherokee, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — New charges have been filed against the Cherokee man accused of intentionally killing another man by running him down with a pickup on April 21st, and the state of Iowa is requesting 66 year-old Bill Hammond to be reincarcerated and bail increased from the initial 100 thousand dollars due to his past criminal history.

Hammond was charged with 1st degree murder after eyewitnesses say he drove over Christopher Wheeler about 12:30 that Monday morning. The efforts of first responders to save Wheeler’s life were unsuccessful. Hammond posted a cash surety bond the next day and was freed from the Cherokee County jail.

Assistant Attorney General Travis Conder this week filed the additional charge of pre-meditated murder.  In a seperate motion Conder said should be considered a risk to the safety of others and a flight risk because of previous convictions of domestic abuse assault, assault causing bodily injury, violation of a protective order, and a constrolled substance violation. Conder is recommending the judge set bail at one million dollars.

Judge Andrew Smith Wednesday approved pre-trial information, saying that the information gathered by the state is sufficient to merit a jury trial.
Hammond is scheduled to make his initial appearance May 12th at 10am to plead guilty or not guilty to the two charges. The judge will also make a ruling on the motion for higher bond at that time.