The trial of Steven Gary Koon, the man charged with killing Linda Marie Meteer in 1989, has been rescheduled:
- A judge postponed the trial — originally set for 2025 — and it is now scheduled to begin on January 6, 2026.
- The change also shifted related pre-trial conference dates, including Koon’s final conference now scheduled for September 19 ahead of the trial start.
Pre-Trial History So Far
Arraignment and Charges
- Koon was arraigned in February 2025 and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
- Prosecutors have charged him with first-degree murder in connection with Meteer’s death.
Preliminary Hearings
- Earlier in the year, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to move forward with proceedings — meaning prosecutors presented enough to justify keeping the case active.
Bond Denied
- The court denied bond for Koon due to the severity of the offense, and he remains in custody as the case progresses.
What This Means Going Forward
With the trial now set for January 2026, the case is entering a critical phase:
- Attorneys for both sides will continue pre-trial motions and discovery, including debates over what evidence may be presented to a jury.
- A January start means jury selection and opening statements are likely to occur at the beginning of the new year, with actual trial proceedings to follow.
- Because Michigan law allows prosecutors to charge a defendant with first-degree or second-degree murder after an open murder arrest, the final charge Koon faces could be clarified as the trial gets closer.
For context, the 1989 killing of Linda Marie Meteer, a 41-year-old mother of five, remained unsolved for decades until new forensic work and investigative collaboration led to Koon’s arrest in 2025.
Current Court and Trial Timeline
Arraignment and Early Hearings
- February 2025:
Steven Gary Koon was arraigned in 86th District Court in Traverse City after being arrested and charged with the 1989 homicide of Linda Meteer. He entered a not guilty plea. - March 11, 2025:
Koon was scheduled for a preliminary hearing — a court proceeding where the judge determines if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Preliminary Exam and Advancement
- May 2025:
A judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to move the case forward toward trial, meaning prosecutors met the legal threshold to proceed.
Trial Postponement and Future Dates
- August 2025:
The court postponed the murder trial. It was rescheduled to begin on January 6, 2026.
At the same time, a final pre-trial conference (a hearing where logistics and outstanding legal issues are typically addressed) was moved to September 19, 2025.
What’s Next
January 6, 2026 — Trial Start
- The trial in the 1989 cold case is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2026 in Grand Traverse County. This is the planned start date for jury selection and opening arguments unless the court sets additional interim hearings or motions prior to that date.
Pre-Trial Conferences
- The previously postponed final pre-trial conference was scheduled for September 19, 2025, where attorneys could address motions, evidence issues, scheduling, or potential plea discussions before the trial’s January start.
Notes
- Because this is an ongoing legal process, dates are subject to change at the discretion of the judge — particularly if there are procedural motions, discovery disputes, or defense requests for continuances.
- Official details about future proceedings, such as exact locations, times, or whether hearings will be open to the public, are usually listed on the 13th Circuit Court’s docket or available through the Grand Traverse County court clerk.
