Judge denies new lawyer for Marion man charged with kidnapping, sex assault

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Marion man, charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting and attacking a woman with in a Marion apartment complex last year, refused to appear at a Friday hearing he had requested in order to get a new public defender.

Logan Mitchell Isaac, 30, filed a motion asking a judge to appoint him a new lawyer after he had switched lawyers a few months ago.

Lawyer John Bruzek, who was appointed to represent Isaac about 60 days ago, told Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever during the hearing that Isaac refused to appear from the jail for the video hearing.

Bruzek, who was on video from the jail, said he didn’t know why Isaac wanted a new lawyer. Bruzek said he talked to Isaac once and told Isaac he needed to review the case and would get back with him.

Bruzek wasn’t aware that Isaac had been arrested again Thursday night, while in jail, for punching a Linn County Sheriff’s deputy in the face.

Isaac was charged Friday with assault on a peace officer causing injury.

McKeever denied the motion for a new lawyer because Isaac wouldn’t appear, and there didn’t seem to be a breakdown in communication between Bruzek and Isaac, which might warrant a different lawyer.

Bruzek also said he may file a motion asking the judge to order a mental competency evaluation for Isaac.

Issac was charged in July with one count each of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury causing bodily injury, and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

A woman told Marion police she had arranged to meet a man, later identified as Isaac, on April 24, 2021, to provide a massage at Moundview Manor, 2501 Highway 13, according to a criminal complaint.

After Isaac let the woman into the building, he attacked her and placed his arm around her mouth and neck and forced her into a nearby bathroom.

He confined her in the bathroom, placed her in a headlock and forcefully "head-butted her several times, causing visible bodily injuries,” according to the complaint.

Isaac then sexually abused her more than once.

In another incident, Isaac threatened another woman with a knife and she told police Isaac was going to stab her, according to court documents.

She told police that during the struggle she was able to break the blade off the knife, which she brought into the Marion Police Department when she reported the attack.

The blade appeared to be from a kitchen knife, according to the search warrant affidavit. The woman said after the blade broke, she thought she might use it against her attacker but then escaped down an emergency stairwell into the parking lot.

Officers said when they confronted Isaac after the woman reported the attack, he directed “profane epithets” toward them and tried to “head butt” one of the officers, according to a complaint.

Isaac had to be “carried” to the police car when he refused to walk to it, the complaint stated.

Isaac is charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, assault on a peace officer, fifth-degree theft and interference with official acts in this case.

His trial in the kidnapping case is set for April 12 in Linn County District Court.

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Article updated and corrected.