The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Murder trial date reset for Iowa City landlord death

The trial date for a suspect in the slaying of an Iowa City landlord has been reset.

Justin Alexander Marshall, one of three people charged with killing Broadway landlord John Verspyt, was set to go to trial May 22. Online court documents show Marshall waived his right to a speedy trial, and his request to continue his trial has been granted. No date is currently set.

Marshall was a resident of the Broadway apartments at the time of Versypt’s slaying. According to police complaints, witnesses said they heard a "pop" the night of the Oct. 8, 2009, shooting, saw people running, and heard Marshall knocking on a door asking to be let in.

Marshall was charged with first-degree murder in July 2011. Charles William Curtis Thompson and Courtney White were also charged with first-degree murder in the Versypt case. Police authorities said Marshall was seen with Thompson the night before the shooting.

Thompson’s initial trial was declared a mistrial after the prosecution showed the jury portions of a video interview that were supposed to have been redacted.

Court documents said Thompson then pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, an aggravated misdemeanor, in December 2011 and was then released from jail. He signed court documents stating he knew Marshall committed the slaying on Oct. 8, 2009.

Online documents also show Marshall has entered a written arraignment and plea of not guilty. He faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

— by Beth Bratsos

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