DeWitt to use insanity or diminished responsibility defense in murder-for-hire case

NORTH LIBERTY - Justin DeWitt will rely on defenses of insanity or diminished responsibility and entrapment in his murder-for-hire case, according to court documents.

DeWitt's attorney, Michael Lahammer, filed a document on Tuesday indicating his client was insane or had diminished capacity 'at the time of the alleged crime.” The document does not state how DeWitt was diminished. Further, Lahammer said his client will rely on a defense of entrapment, but does not say specifically how DeWitt was entrapped.

DeWitt, 36, a landscaper from North Liberty was arrested on June 27 on four counts of attempted murder and four counts of solicitation to commit murder after police said they received a tip that prompted an investigation. DeWitt was allegedly plotting to have a former business associate, Chad Williams, and Williams' family killed.

After receiving the tip, police set up a sting during which an undercover officer met with DeWitt in Iowa City, posed as a hit man and accepted a down payment of $1,000 to have the family of four killed.

DeWitt remains in custody on a $600,000 cash bond. However, a bond review has been scheduled for Friday morning. Lahammer filed a motion seeking the bond review on Tuesday, arguing in part that the informant in the case, 64-year-old Ronald Robi, had taken possession of DeWitt's truck and North Liberty home and could possibly have access to DeWitt's bank accounts.

Robi confirmed Tuesday that he has changed the locks on DeWitt's home and taken his truck, though he said it is to protect DeWitt's property in order to turn it over to DeWitt's son. Robi said a quit claim signed by DeWitt five days before his arrest gave him the legal authority to take DeWitt's property. He said he has shown the document to police.

Attempted murder is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Solicitation to commit murder is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.