Cedar Rapids man gets probation, 60 days in jail in brick assault

CEDAR RAPIDS - On Tuesday, a judge told Marshaun Blackman he was taking a 'leap of faith” by suspending a five-year prison sentence and giving him probation and a two-month jail sentence for assaulting another man with a brick.

Blackman, 27, pleaded guilty last month in Linn County District Court, to willful injury, a felony, and assault with a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. He admitted to being angry and blaming Michael Sisco, a maintenance worker at his apartment building, for his water being shut off in April 2016. Blackman, of Cedar Rapids, assaulted Sisco, hitting him in the face and head with a brick.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Sean McPartland told Blackman Tuesday his sentence was a difficult decision and it is up to Blackman to take the opportunity and learn from it.

'The presentencing recommendation from probation is an incredible leap of faith and I'm also going to take a leap of faith on you,” McPartland said. I'm not dismissing or excusing your behavior. You don't have the right to assault someone because they make you mad or disrespect you.”

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier asked the court to sentence Blackman to five years in prison because this was a serious crime and deliberate act - picking up a brick and attacking a man.

Medical reports show Sisco had a concussion, an orbital frontal sinus fracture to his face and lacerations to his forehead, Schier said.

Schier also pointed out that Blackman was on probation for domestic abuse when he was charged in this case.

Blackman, during sentencing, admitted he was wrong to assault the victim. He asked the court for a second chance and he apologized for attacking Sisco.

'I'm real nervous right now because I'm scared,” Blackman told the judge.

Sisco didn't attend the hearing.

McPartland suspended the five year sentence on the willful injury charge and sentenced Blackman to four years probation and 60 days in jail for the assault charge. The judge also ordered Blackman to continue the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program, which was ordered on the previous domestic abuse assault conviction last year, and any other treatment that probation in this case may require. Blackman must also earn his GED as a condition of probation, McPartland added.

Blackman was also ordered to pay victim's restitution, which Schier will file within 30 days.

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