Trial starts Tuesday for man accused of slaying cab driver in 2011

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jury selection starts at 9 a.m. today in Story County District Court for the man accused of stabbing a cabdriver to death in a southeast Cedar Rapids alley.

Johnathan Mitchell, 33, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the April 29, 2011, death of Cathy Stickley. Prosecutors added the robbery charge two weeks ago after information came out during depositions that indicated the incident started out as a robbery.

According to a criminal complaint, Stickley was found dead by her Century Cab vehicle in the 1500 block alley between Second and Third avenues SE. She died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and head.

The trial, transferred to Story County on a change of venue, is expected to last two weeks. Opening statements could start as early as Wednesday morning.

Gazette reporter Trish Mehaffey will provide live coverage from the courtroom in Nevada as soon as testimony begins.  Her live blog provides real-time updates on all the court action and allows viewers to comment and interact with her.

Mitchell was free on a previous bond for a willful injury charge at the time Stickley was killed, according to court records. In that case he was accused of assaulting Arvin Druvenga with a large wooden stick near Coe College on Sept. 25, 2010.

After Stickley's death, the Department of Correctional Services and the judge in the assault case took some criticism because Mitchell had been set to plead guilty to the charge a few days before Stickley was killed. But a pre-sentencing report was delayed and Mitchell's defense attorney hadn't seen it, so Judge Mitchell Turner granted a continuance.

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady said Turner did nothing wrong in making that call.

Mitchell has remained in the Linn County Jail under a $1 million bond pending the murder trial.