This case keeps getting curiouser:
NORTH LIBERTY — A defense attorney for the North Liberty man accused of plotting to kill a business associate and family is asking for a lower bail, arguing — in part — that the informant who tipped off police has taken control of his client’s home and truck, records show.
“It is further concerning that a significant State of Iowa witness against Mr. DeWitt has apparently taken control of Mr. DeWitt’s automobiles and his residence, alleging that he has the paperwork allowing this,” lawyer Micheal Lahammer said in a motion filed Tuesday.
Ronald Robi, 64, confirmed in an interview Tuesday he has changed the locks on Justin DeWitt’s home and taken control of his truck. Robi — who went to police saying that DeWitt was plotting to kill Chad Williams, his wife and two children — said DeWitt owes him money. But he said he is not planning to sell the house or truck. Rather, Robi said, he’s trying to protect them for DeWitt’s young song.
“I’m not trying to screw anybody, not even Justin,” Robi said.
DeWitt, 36, a landscaper, was arrested June 27 on four counts of attempted murder and four counts of solicitation to commit murder after police said they got a tip that led to their investigation.
Robi has said he hired DeWitt as a landscaper about a year ago. Shortly after, he said, DeWitt asked him if he had ever killed anyone. Robi — who formerly went by the name Ronald L. Evans — had spent time in prison for various offenses including second-degree theft, criminal conduct and bigamy.
Robi said he eventually recorded DeWitt talking about the murder-for-hire scheme. He said he brought that recording to police. Police would later set up a sting in which DeWitt met with an undercover officer and agreed to pay the officer — thinking he was a hit man — $1,000 as a down payment to have the family killed, authorities said.
Robi said Tuesday he has the legal authority to take possession of DeWitt’s home and truck.
On June 22, DeWitt supposedly signed a handwritten quit claim deed turning over ownership of his North Liberty home and GMC truck. Robi showed the document to reporters.
“He signed that willingly,” Robi said. “He signed that in front of people. ... I find no fault in what I’m doing.”
Robi said police have twice asked him about taking possession of the truck and house. Both times, he said, he showed them the document.
North Liberty police Chief Diane Venenga did not return a message seeking comment.
Robi said he intends to keep paying the mortgage on the home and would like to set up a meeting with DeWitt’s attorney to facilitate turning over proceeds of the property to DeWitt’s son.
Lahammer could not be reached Tuesday.
In his motion, Lahammer said his client is a business owner with “strong ties” to North Liberty and “little or no criminal history.” Lahammer wrote that he has concerns the informant could be accessing DeWitt’s bank accounts.
A hearing on Lahammer’s motion is scheduled for Friday. DeWitt remains in custody on a $600,000 cash-only bail.
Attempted murder is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Solicitation to commit murder is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/n...-takes-over-suspects-house-and-truck-20160719
NORTH LIBERTY — A defense attorney for the North Liberty man accused of plotting to kill a business associate and family is asking for a lower bail, arguing — in part — that the informant who tipped off police has taken control of his client’s home and truck, records show.
“It is further concerning that a significant State of Iowa witness against Mr. DeWitt has apparently taken control of Mr. DeWitt’s automobiles and his residence, alleging that he has the paperwork allowing this,” lawyer Micheal Lahammer said in a motion filed Tuesday.
Ronald Robi, 64, confirmed in an interview Tuesday he has changed the locks on Justin DeWitt’s home and taken control of his truck. Robi — who went to police saying that DeWitt was plotting to kill Chad Williams, his wife and two children — said DeWitt owes him money. But he said he is not planning to sell the house or truck. Rather, Robi said, he’s trying to protect them for DeWitt’s young song.
“I’m not trying to screw anybody, not even Justin,” Robi said.
DeWitt, 36, a landscaper, was arrested June 27 on four counts of attempted murder and four counts of solicitation to commit murder after police said they got a tip that led to their investigation.
Robi has said he hired DeWitt as a landscaper about a year ago. Shortly after, he said, DeWitt asked him if he had ever killed anyone. Robi — who formerly went by the name Ronald L. Evans — had spent time in prison for various offenses including second-degree theft, criminal conduct and bigamy.
Robi said he eventually recorded DeWitt talking about the murder-for-hire scheme. He said he brought that recording to police. Police would later set up a sting in which DeWitt met with an undercover officer and agreed to pay the officer — thinking he was a hit man — $1,000 as a down payment to have the family killed, authorities said.
Robi said Tuesday he has the legal authority to take possession of DeWitt’s home and truck.
On June 22, DeWitt supposedly signed a handwritten quit claim deed turning over ownership of his North Liberty home and GMC truck. Robi showed the document to reporters.
“He signed that willingly,” Robi said. “He signed that in front of people. ... I find no fault in what I’m doing.”
Robi said police have twice asked him about taking possession of the truck and house. Both times, he said, he showed them the document.
North Liberty police Chief Diane Venenga did not return a message seeking comment.
Robi said he intends to keep paying the mortgage on the home and would like to set up a meeting with DeWitt’s attorney to facilitate turning over proceeds of the property to DeWitt’s son.
Lahammer could not be reached Tuesday.
In his motion, Lahammer said his client is a business owner with “strong ties” to North Liberty and “little or no criminal history.” Lahammer wrote that he has concerns the informant could be accessing DeWitt’s bank accounts.
A hearing on Lahammer’s motion is scheduled for Friday. DeWitt remains in custody on a $600,000 cash-only bail.
Attempted murder is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Solicitation to commit murder is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/n...-takes-over-suspects-house-and-truck-20160719
