Edward Cusic admitted in 911 call to killing his mother

CEDAR RAPIDS — Edward Cusic called 911, saying he killed his 68-year-old mother with a crowbar after she pulled a gun on him Dec. 7, 2012.

Jurors heard the 911 tape during Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott's opening statement. Cusic during the call also said his mother Anita Labkon was biopolar and suicidal. During the call he again confirmed he killed her but said it was in self-defense.

Scott told jurors Cusic 'story' changed or became 'embellished' after he was in the police squad car and then again when interviewed by a Gazette reporter. Cusic then added his mother had knives and guns and that he didn't intend to kill her. He only hit her one time.

Scott said none of Cusic's later stories were true. There were guns and knives in the house but they weren't used in this attack. Police found a knife under the mattress in the bedroom with the sheath on it.

Cusic was a 'drug addict' and his mother hid her prescription drugs from him, Scott said. There was evidence Labkon hid her medication in her adult diaper.

'He struck her eight times,' Scott said. 'She tried to defend herself. She aspirated on her own blood from a face and head injury. Her dentures were broken and came out of her mouth from the force of the crowbar.'

Cusic, 47, is charged with first-degree murder, and if convicted, faces life in prison without parole.

Jury selection started Monday and the trial resumes 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Follow reporter Trish Mehaffey's live coverage from the courtroom and provide comments and ask questions. The trial is expected to go into next week.

Tyler Johnston, Cusic's lawyer, said when the jurors hear the evidence they will have no doubt Cusic was 'out of his mind' at the time of the attack.

Johnston said there was no emotion in Cusic's voice when he says he killed his mother. He pointed out that there is a video of Cusic getting into the police vehicle and officers kept yelling at him to put his arms up. In the video it sounded as if the officers were about to shoot him because he wasn't complying.

'He was out of his mind,' Johnston said again.

Johnston said the state's theory that Cusic killed for Labkon's prescription drugs is 'ridiculous.' Cusic believed his mother was going to kill him. He had no hatred or malice in his voice during the 911 call.

Johnston said a psychologist will testify that Cusic's previous head injuries from playing football in high school, being involved in a car accident, and from being hit by railroad spikes resulted in mental issues and led to his abuse of pain medication and alcohol.

Johnston said Cusic didn't premeditate or have the intent to kill. He asked the jury not to find Cusic guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder.

The first witness, Dr. Julia Goodin, state chief medical examiner, testified about Labkon's injuries. She died of multiple blunt force injuries or as Goodin put it, 'she was beaten to death.' Labkon was struck at least, eight times, and the injuries were consistent with forceful blows from a crowbar.

Goodin testified Labkon had injuries to her face, jaw, head and brain, shoulder and chest area, several broken ribs and her sternum was broken, which takes 'a lot of force,' she said. The victim also had defensive wounds to her arms and hands.

The toxicology report showed several prescriptions drugs in her system including anti-anxiety, muscle relaxers, and pain medication, Goodin said. There was no illegal substances. Goodin also confirmed Labkon had a plastic bag containing her pills that was found inside her adult diaper.