Cedar Rapids man convicted of trying to kill police officers

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Linn County jury Wednesday convicted Brandon Lee Nelson for attempting to kill one police officer and pointing a gun at another after leading authorities on a high-speed chase on July 30, 2022.

The jury deliberated more than four hours following four and half days of trial. All jurors were polled, as requested by the defense, and all confirmed the 13 guilty verdicts.

Nelson, 24, of Cedar Rapids, was found guilty of attempted murder; two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon; three counts of assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon; two counts of interference with official acts while armed with a firearm; and one count each of going armed with intent, persons ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, eluding, reckless driving and driving while barred.

Nelson showed no visible reaction when the verdicts were read.

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The officers, Blair Klostermann Cavin and Matt Jenatscheck, who shot and injured Nelson after he pointed and aimed a shotgun at them, were in the courtroom for the verdict, along with a few family members and other Cedar Rapids officers.

Cavin and Jenatscheck hugged Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and assistant prosecutor Katherine Shimkat, along with their own families, after the hearing.

Maybanks said, after the verdict, he was “pleased the defense of ‘suicide by cop’ was found not to excuse the defendant’s criminal behavior of this case. Unfortunately, our officers face risk every day while protecting us. Today may be a good day to thank an officer if you see one.”

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He and Shimkat also wanted to thank the jury for its service, and commended the “bravery of courage” of the Cedar Rapids police officers involved in this case.

Nelson, during testimony Tuesday, said he planned to have the police kill him because he was depressed over a breakup with his girlfriend and didn’t have the “courage” to kill himself. Nelson told the jury he had no intention of killing or harming the officers.

A defense expert testified that Nelson suffered from major depressive disorder and severe alcohol use disorder. She said Nelson self-reported that he had tried to kill himself six or seven times last year.

Officers Cavin and Jenatscheck testified they believed Nelson was going to kill them.

They testified that after Nelson led police on a high-speed chase up and down Edgewood Road, he got out of his vehicle with a shotgun and racked it, pointed it twice at Cavin and then aimed at Jenatscheck, who had pulled his police cruiser up next to Cavin’s. Both were behind their open car doors and yelling at Nelson to drop the gun.

Cavin said she didn’t want to die and didn’t want to shoot Nelson, but then Nelson took a few steps toward them and “zeroed in,” aiming the shotgun at Jenatscheck.

Jenatscheck said he fired eight times, but Nelson was still aiming at him and he didn’t know, at that time, if Cavin had fired also. But Cavin fired four shots.

Nelson was hit three times and he discharged the shotgun once.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks asked Cavin if she recalled hearing that shot.

“I still hear it today,” Cavin said last week, as her mother, who was in the courtroom, started crying.

Nelson faces up to 83 years in prison if the judge runs sentences for all the charges consecutively. Sixth Judicial Judge Justin Lightfoot set sentencing for Dec. 1 in Linn County District Court.

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