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Grand jury indicts Tama County man for first-degree murder
Apr. 25, 2014 8:28 pm
A 20-year-old Tama County man was indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder Thursday in federal court.
Jonathan Curtis Youngbear is accused of fatally stabbing Severn D. Jefferson several times in his home on the Meskwaki Nation Settlement Feb. 24.
According to testimony during a preliminary hearing earlier this month, Youngbear's cousin, Joseph Youngbear, told authorities Jonathan and Jefferson got into an argument and Jonathan stabbed him. They had been smoking methamphetamine and drinking that day and the day before.
Jonathan also confessed to authorities that he killed Jefferson, according to testimony. Jefferson was stabbed in the upper chest and neck area. His body was found by police halfway in the hallway and in a bedroom. Authorities also found a black-handled knife in the kitchen.
Jonathan told agents he hit Jefferson with a hammer or knife.
Jonathan Youngbear was held without bond pending his trial set June 23.
Johnathan Curtis Youngbear makes his first appearance in district court at the Tama County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Toledo, Iowa. Youngbear initially faced state charges, but those were dropped and he was indicted by a grand jury Thursday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)
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