Local man arrested in Texas on charge of first-degree murder

The Iowa City Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation have charged Justin A. Marshall, 20, with first-degree murder in connection to the 2009 murder of 64-year-old John E. Versypt.

Reports indicate that Marshall was taken into custody without incident at 2:15 a.m. Thursday in Lancaster, Texas by officers from the Iowa City and Lancaster Police Departments. He is currently being held in Dallas County, TX awaiting extradition with a $1 million bond.

“This is a significant case and the detectives worked it hard and diligently,” Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said. “Once they got the okay from the Johnson County Attorney's Office, the detectives didn't want anything compromised, they just wanted to go get him – the victim deserved that.”

Versypt, of Cordova, IL was working on one of his properties at 1958 Broadway Street, building C, when he was shot and killed on October 8, 2009. Police discovered his body lying in the hallway with a gun next to him after receiving a call that a male had been shot in the building.

An autopsy confirmed that Versypt had died of a gunshot wound to the head. A bullet that was removed from the area near the victim was determined to have been fired from the gun found at the scene, Iowa City Police said.

Charles W. Curtis Thompson was charged with first-degree murder on February 11, 2010. Thompson was seen wearing clothing that matched the description of one of the people identified by witnesses as fleeing the area. Investigators obtained the clothing, and lab results showed that it contained the components that make up gunshot residue.

Individuals reported to Iowa City Police that Thompson had been seen on two separate occasions with a gun. That same gun is believed to be the weapon found at the murder scene, Iowa City Police said.

Further investigation by the Iowa City Police department revealed that Marshall was observed in the same hallway that Versypt was found shortly before he had arrived at the complex.

A witness told Iowa City Police that they heard a “pop” and saw people running from the scene. Within seconds of the sound, a witness said they heard Marshall knocking on a door and whispering to be let in.

Marshall was also seen with Thompson and the gun believed to be the murder weapon the night prior to Versypt's murder. Marshall later told a witness that he was in the hallway with Thompson during a robbery when the murder occurred, authorities said. Clothing belonging to Marshall tested positive for the components that make up gunshot residue.

On November 18, 2009, Marshall was placed into custody and held on a $100,000 bond at the Johnson County Jail as a material witness. Authorities said he'd provided witness statements that were later proved incorrect and changed his story multiple times. Reports indicate that Marshall also attempted to have three people provide him with an alibi by saying that he was with them at the time of the murder, although he was not, Iowa City Police said.

In March of 2010, Marshall's attorney, Sarah Majerus, argued that his incarceration was unconstitutional and that he should have been released.

Marshall continued to be held, however, after Assistant Johnson County Attorney Meredith Rich-Chappell said that Marshall might flee and become unavailable for further questioning if released. He was eventually released on April 29, 2010.

Detectives from the Iowa City Police Department traveled to Texas to serve the warrant. Marshall was taken into custody by officers with the Lancaster Police Department without incident. Marshall should be brought back to Johnson County at some point in the near future, Brotherton said.

Investigators have other people of interest in connection to the murder and the case remains under investigation, an Iowa City Police Department press release said.

“We've been keeping tabs on this guy, he hasn't been forgotten since 2009,” Brotherton said.