Judge rules Little’s confession to fatal stabbing won’t be allowed at trial

A judge ruled Monday that a confession Bobbie Little made during a second police interview will not be allowed at his murder trial because his lawyer wasn't present.

Cedar Rapids police Investigator Jeff Holst testified during a hearing in August that Little told him in June 2014 that he killed his 'best friend,” Shanna Beyhl, in a 'rage” over drugs.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Marsha Bergan said in her ruling Little asked for a lawyer in an April 6, 2014 interview when he was initially charged with theft, so when Holst interviewed him a second time on June 5, 2014 at the jail, Holst violated Little's rights by interrogating him without his lawyer.

Little, 32, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree theft. He is accused of killing Beyhl, 37, on April 4, 2014 in her Cedar Rapids apartment and also of trading or giving away items belonging to her after she died, the criminal complaint states.

Beyhl was stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen, according to an autopsy.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott argued during the August hearing that the confession should come in because Holst was questioning Little on a separate and unrelated crime - Beyhl's homicide.

Holst testified he interviewed Little a second time after lab results showed Beyhl's blood on Little's clothing. Little told Holst he stabbed Beyhl with a knife he got from her kitchen, and even said the knife could be found behind some garages adjacent to the Shamrock Apartments, where Beyhl lived. The knife was found by apartment staff and turned over to police.

The information about the knife wasn't released to the public and the Shamrock staff were told not to disclose it, Holst said.

Bergan will allow statements made by Little in the April 6, 2014 interview and evidence from two searches, which included Little's clothing, conducted the same day.

A new trial date hasn't been set at this time.