Trial Postponed For Man Accused of Murdering Two At Iowa Trucking Company

The man accused of killing two at a Des Moines trucking company in May may not be capable of standing trial, his lawyer says.

Ronald James Hawkinson was scheduled to stand trial on January 7, 2103, but his lawyers were able to postpone the trial so that Hawkinson ‘mental ability’ could  be evaluated by doctors.

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Hawkinson is facing two charges of first-degree murder.

On May 7, 2012, police say Robert J. Hawkinson, 39, walked into Siebert Trucking and shot and killed two current Siebert employees:  Serif Hidic, 30, and Robert Smoot, 49.

It is believed that  Hawkinson was a disgruntled employee, and was enragd over a recent civil suit against him filed by Hidic.  The suit claims Hawkinson defaulted on a $13,000 loan he received from Hidic to purchase a truck. Hidic loaned Hawkinson the money with the promise that Hawkinson would use the truck to drive for Siebert.  Instead, Hawkinson used the truck to work for another company.

It is unknown why Hawkinson shot and killed Smoot.  Police are saying it may be a case of in the wrong place at the wrong time.

At the time of the killings, Hawkinson was on probation for domestic violence.  Hawkinson’s girlfriend Rhonda Plew, 41, was also arrested and is accused of being an accessory after the fact.

Hawkinson became an immediate person of interest, following the murders, because of the ongoing litigation.