Iowa City woman won’t face charges in domestic abuse fatal shooting of Coralville man

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City woman who fatally shot a Coralville man in June will not be charged because there is a lack of evidence to show it wasn’t justified, according to a prosecutor.

Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith ruled Friday that Michelle Jenkins-Robertson, 28, was justified in her use of deadly force against Mason Edwards, 27, who she fatally shot inside her mobile home June 11, after he forced his way in and assaulted her.

“After a thorough investigation and review, there is not enough evidence to show that the force was not justified, nor to rebut the legal presumption pursuant to Iowa Code 704.2A that the deadly force used was necessary to avoid injury of risk to her life or safety or the safety of others,” Zimmermann Smith said in a statement Friday. “Therefore, no charges will be filed at this time.”

Jenkins-Robertson called 911 about 11:54 p.m. on June 11, and reported she fired shots at Edwards in her home at Western Hills Mobile Estates after he forced his way inside and assaulted her. When officers arrived, they found Edwards in the threshold of the bedroom.

He had two gunshot wounds to his torso area, Zimmermann Smith said in a press release. Despite the efforts of officers and emergency medical personnel, Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. Jenkins-Robertson was in her home when officers arrived.

The investigation determined Edwards and Jenkins-Robertson were in an intermittent relationship. They were not living together at the time of the incident. Edwards called Jenkins-Robertson shortly before he showed up that night.

A few minutes later, Edwards arrived and forced his way inside through the front door, according to the release. Edwards appeared to be intoxicated and he started arguing with Jenkins-Robertson. Edwards “attacked” Jenkins-Robertson.

“He punched her repeatedly, grabbed her hair and eventually placed her in a headlock,” according to the release. “She was able to free herself from him and retrieve a gun she had placed near her bed.”

Jenkins-Robertson pointed the gun at Edwards and ordered him to get out. Edwards refused to leave and continued to come toward her. Fearing injury or death, Jenkins-Robertson fired two shots. She then immediately called 911.

According to an autopsy, the cause of death for Edwards was gunshot wounds to his torso area. Edwards’ injuries were consistent with what was reported by Jenkins-Robertson, the release stated.

Toxicology tests indicated that Edwards’ blood alcohol concentration was .230.

Jenkins-Robertson told police she had kept the gun near her bed due to Edwards’ escalating behavior in the days and weeks before.

Officers noted that Jenkins-Robertson had pain and swelling on her head from where Edwards had hit her, Zimmerman Smith said in the release. Jenkins-Robertson told police there was a history of domestic violence.

According to police records, there were three previous calls for service to Johnson County dispatch involving Edwards and Jenkins-Robertson:

The Coralville Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation (Major Crimes Unit); Iowa City Police Department; Johnson County Ambulance Service; Johnson County Sheriff’s Office; Johnson County Attorney’s Office; Johnson County Medical Examiner; Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center; and the University of Iowa Health Care’s Decedent Care Center.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com