Assault trial reset to December for a man also accused of killing a cab driver

CEDAR RAPIDS – The assault trial for a man, who is also accused in the slaying of a local cab driver, was reset Thursday to Dec. 12 in Linn County District Court.

Johnathan Mitchell, 33, charged with willful injury causing bodily injury, is accused of assaulting Arvin Druvenga, of Cedar Rapids, with a large wooden stick while Druvenga was parked on 15th Street watching a Coe football game September 25, 2010.

Druvenga suffered skull fractures, a laceration on the top of his head that required eight staples and numerous other skin abrasions, according to a police report. He also had to wear a neck brace for several weeks.

Mitchell will also stand trial for first-degree murder Aug. 15 in the slaying of Cathy Stickley, 54, a mother of four and a taxi driver for Century Cab on April 29. Stickley was killed when Mitchell was free on a $10,000 bond for the assault charge.

Stickley

was found dead by her vehicle in the 1500 block alley between 2nd and 3rd avenues SE, according to a criminal complaint. She died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and head.