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Trial delayed again for Hiawatha man accused of helping two others in woman’s killing
Logan Kimpton’s trial has been reset for Nov. 18
Jul. 17, 2025 5:05 pm, Updated: Jul. 18, 2025 7:28 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge again bumped the trial of Hiawatha man accused of helping two others kidnap, torture and strangle a 20-year-old Marion woman who had just broken up with one of her killers
Logan William Michael Kimpton, 19, is charged with conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the strangulation of Melody Hoffman on Feb. 17, 2024. He is accused of helping his roommate, McKinley Louisma, 24, and Dakota Lyle Van Patten, 19, of Cedar Rapids, buy machetes and gloves for the deadly attack and telling others the three were planning to kill someone.
Kimpton backed out of participating in her killing, but never told police until after Louisma and Van Patten carried out the violent plan, according to a criminal complaint.
John Bruzek, Kimpton’s attorney, asked the court to reset the trial because additional depositions of witnesses need to be taken.
Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and first assistant attorney Monica Slaughter didn’t resist the delay.
Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros granted the motion and reset the trial for Nov. 18 in Linn County District Court. The trial was previously set for next month.
During the investigation into Hoffman’s killing, Kimpton admitted to investigators he had been with her ex-boyfriend — Louisma — and Van Patten at a Walmart that night when they purchased two machetes and gloves. During Louisma’s trial, testimony and surveillance evidence of Kimpton put him with the two others in the store that night.
Hoffman was kidnapped and taken to Morgan Creek Park in Cedar Rapids, where Louisma and Van Patten attacked her. Investigators believe she was killed at the park before she was taken to the Lily Pond in Amana, where her body was found.
A medical examiner, during Louisma’s trial, testified Hoffman died by strangulation. She also had numerous stab and slash wounds to her body and was bound with duct tape.
Louisma and Hoffman recently had broken up because Louisma got back together with his former girlfriend, who was pregnant. Maybanks said Hoffman also was pregnant or had been recently pregnant, which may have been a motive for the killing.
Louisma was convicted last November of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The trial for Van Patten, who is charged with the same three offenses, will be Sept. 15.
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
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