Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 25 years in assault on ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend, other charges

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who hit his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend with a baseball bat multiple times and stabbed him was sentenced Tuesday to up to 25 years in prison.

Bernick Karsten Brown, 38, originally charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty in November to willful injury resulting in serious injury while using a dangerous weapon. He used a baseball bat to hit Branly Nkosi in the head multiple times Feb. 12, 2022.

The attack caused skull fractures, a brain bleed and other life-threatening injuries, according to a criminal complaint. The man also had a stab wound in his back.

When Brown was arrested last year, he also had an outstanding warrant related to an incident in December 2020, when a woman said he choked her and threw her up against a wall.

He then fled from police, driving about 60 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to a criminal complaint.

On Tuesday, he also was sentenced for domestic abuse assault, strangulation with bodily injury and possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine.

After Brown was arrested in the domestic abuse and willful injury case, police found a digital scale, marijuana and 20 pounds of individually wrapped cocaine in his possession, according to a criminal complaint.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros sentenced Brown to 10 years each on the willful injury and possession with intent charges and five years on the domestic abuse charge. The sentences will run consecutively for up to 25 years in prison. He also must serve a mandatory minimum of five years because a dangerous weapon was used.

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