Assault trial shifted for man accused in slaying

CEDAR RAPIDS - An assault trial for Johnathan Mitchell, 33, of Cedar Rapids - who is also awaiting a separate trial in the stabbing death of a cabdriver - has been moved to Sept. 17 in Linn County District Court.

Mitchell is charged with willful injury causing bodily injury in the Sept. 25, 2010, incident. He's accused of assaulting Arvin Druvenga with a large stick while Druvenga was parked on 15th Street watching a Coe College football game.

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

Mitchell is charged with first-degree murder in a separate case. He is accused of fatally stabbing Cathy Stickley, a driver for Century Cab, on April 29, 2011.

The Aug. 14 trial in that case has been moved to Story County.