Roche guilty of all charges in Cedar Rapids attack

CEDAR RAPIDS - A 22-year-old Marion man faces two life sentences in prison after a jury convicted him Friday of kidnapping, sexual assault and stabbing a 20-year-old woman in 2013.

Bryan Roche was found guilty of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, attempted murder and willful injury causing serious injury, following a four day trial. He was accused of sexually assaulting and stabbing the woman twice, while holding her against her will for two hours April 21, 2013 in Cedar Rapids.

The jury deliberated about five hours starting Thursday and came to a verdict just after 9:30 a.m.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill polled the jurors and each indicated they found him guilty on all charges.

Roche didn't seem to react to the verdicts as he stood with his attorney, Mark Brown, as Thornhill read the verdict forms.

Brown declined to comment following the verdict.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said he was 'deeply appreciative” for the jury's hardwork in reaching a decision.

'This was a very emotional case, of course, every crime of violence is deeply emotional and I'm certain the jury carefully weighed the evidence this case.” Vander Sanden said. 'Given what the defendant did to the victim in this case, she is lucky to be alive,” Vander Sanden said.

Doctors testified during trial the stab wounds in the neck and abdomen were life-threatening injuries and the woman would have died without emergency treatment and surgery.

Roche in a police interview played for the jury said he didn't know why he stabbed her. He just wanted her to stop screaming and 'be quiet.”

The victim got away from him and locked herself in a bedroom, but Roche stayed outside the door until he thought she wouldn't survive, Roche told police. He knew if she survived, he would go to jail.

The victim said after he left, she went to a neighbor's apartment downstairs for help. Gary Schwab, neighbor, said he tried to apply pressure to stop the bleeding on her neck and stomach, and had his daughter call 911.

Aaron Hamrock, Roche's other attorney, told jurors in his closing argument that Roche was guilty of lesser charges because he lacked intent to cause her death and the state didn't prove the charges filed.

Sentencing for Roche hasn't been set.