Man held for information on October homicide in Iowa City

A 19-year old man is being held in the Johnson County jail on a $100,000 cash-bond in regards to information of the Oct. 8 homicide of John Versypt at the Broadway Condominiums.

Officers responded to 1958 Broadway Building C in Iowa City where Versypt - a landlord of many units in the building - was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to an affidavit. Versypt's wallet was lying on the ground next to his body and police said they believe Versypt was possibly robbed.

According to documents filed in the Johnson County District Court on Nov. 18, a warrant for arrest for material witness was executed on Nov. 18 for Justin A. Marshall.

Iowa City Police Lt. Jim Steffen, head of investigations, explained that material witness warrants are used when police believe a person has or will have information needed for an investigation, but may be unable to be reached, but couldn't say why exactly Marshall was being held since he said police can't comment on active investigations.

Investigators spoke to Marshall, who lived at 1958 Broadway Apt. 5C at the time, where they said Marhsall provided a statement about his whereabouts during the time of the murder, but many statements were proven to be incorrect through conversations with other witnesses, according to court documents.

Police said Marshall continued to change his story about his knowledge of the shootings and the events that occurred immediately before and after the shooting, including admissions made to him by other people, according to court documents.

He agreed to take a polygraph test and it was determined after two tests that Marshall was being deceptive to police.

Steffen said he didn't know how long Marshall - who is accused of being a material witness - would be held in jail.

No suspects have been named by police and the case remains under investigation.