Motion details violent history of Tama County man accused of killing parents

CEDAR RAPIDS - Prosecutors intend to call witnesses that will testify about threats and incidents of violence by Gordon Lasley Jr., which occurred before he was charged with killing his parents with a machete, according to a motion filed in federal court Tuesday.

According to the motion, testimony will show a history of Lasley unable to control his anger, making threats against others and having violent outbursts in fair rebuttal to Lasley's claim of insanity and that his parents' deaths resulted from a 'psychotic episode.”

Lasley, 25, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He is accused of killing his parents, Gordon Lasley Sr. and Kim Lasley, with a machete in their home on the Meskwaki settlement Feb. 5, according to a criminal complaint.

The motion details several incidents the government plans to admit during Lasley's trial which starts Dec. 8 in U.S. District Court.

According to the motion, treatment records show Lasley had control issues as a child. He was referred to juvenile authorities and was on probation at age 14, and by age 17, he was sent to Eldora Boys Training School because of misconduct.

In February 2007, Lasley, while a passenger in a car that was stopped for a traffic violation, swore at an officer and threatened to 'blow” the officer's head off, according to the motion. He fought with the officer and was arrested. Several months later when officers responded to a domestic assault involving Lasley's friend in Ankeny, Lasley assaulted officers and threatened to kill them as the officers attempted to arrest Lasley and others for marijuana possession.

In April 2013, Lasley assaulted a man and his girlfriend at a bar, according to the motion. Lasley hit the man in the face, causing permanent damage to his teeth and pushing the girlfriend, according to the motion. Prosecutors also claim Lasley has physically assaulted his girlfriend, who is the mother of his children, on numerous occasions.

The defense argues the February 2007 incident shouldn't be admitted into evidence because it's not relevant, according to the motion. Prosecutors argue the incident is relevant and admissible to rebut the insanity claim.

A defense expert will testify that Lasley's 'delusions are of recent onset” and his conduct in 2007 isn't relevant, according to the motion. Another defense expert will say Lasley suffers from schizophrenia and dysthymia. Both experts rely partly on Lasley's criminal history.

Prosecutors claim the evidence will show a history of violence and anger control issues that will contradict the defense's expert claim that his actions are a result of a brief psychotic episode arising from a recent onset delusion about sexually transmitted diseases, according to the motion.