NORTHWOOD — The lawyer for a Mason City man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in Northwood’s Swensrud Park is asking that his trial be pushed back.

Susan Flanders, lawyer of Tyrone Robin Washington Jr., made the motion in Worth County District Court on Tuesday. Washington’s trial had been slated to begin Oct. 30.

Washington faces a charge of first-degree murder in the Aug. 5 death of Justina Marie Smith, 30.

An autopsy stated Smith died from multiple sharp-force injuries.

Iowa State Patrol troopers arrested Washington in Scott County, Iowa, after he allegedly stabbed Smith in the park, then fled the scene in her car, a silver 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Washington was spotted on Interstate 80 in Cedar County before allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase ending in Scott County, where he reportedly drove through corn and bean fields along the interstate.

Worth County court records state Washington had allegedly assaulted and strangled Smith the month before. A judge had issued an order of protection for Smith against Washington, and he was ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Smith, her two children, and her home and workplace, according to court documents.

On July 29, Smith reportedly asked that the restraining order be lifted, but then on Aug. 2 — just three days before her alleged homicide — she asked that it be reinstated.

Washington is being held in the Worth County jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.