The first-degree murder trial of a Mount Pleasant man accused in the fatal shooting of a young woman at a Burlington bar will now be held in Keokuk after a judge approved a change of venue.
On June 16, a judge granted a defense request to move the trial of 23-year-old Kaysean A. Rice from Des Moines County to the Lee County South Courthouse. The new trial is scheduled to begin in August.
Rice faces charges of first-degree murder, reckless use of a firearm, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon in connection with the March 2026 shooting death of 19-year-old Janea Elizabeth Osier of Mount Pleasant at Chavy’s Bar and Grill in Burlington.
The change of venue follows an earlier request that was denied and comes after Rice’s first trial ended in a mistrial shortly after testimony began.
Des Moines County Attorney Lisa Schaefer said the mistrial was declared after a witness gave testimony that violated a pretrial order prohibiting any mention of Rice’s prior criminal history or other alleged offenses. The defense objected and successfully moved for a mistrial, arguing the testimony was too prejudicial for the trial to continue.
According to investigators, Burlington police responded to Chavy’s Bar and Grill at approximately 11:20 p.m. on March 7, 2026, after reports of a shooting. Officers found Osier suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.
The case has drawn significant public attention, and with the venue now moved to Lee County, a new jury will hear the case when the trial begins in August.