Investigator testifies Little confessed to killing his “best friend;” lawyers debate if confession should be admitted

A Cedar Rapids police investigator testified during a hearing Friday that Bobbie Little told him in June 2014 that he killed his 'best friend” in a 'rage” over drugs.

Investigator Jeff Holst testified about an audiotape of the jail interview played for the judge. In the tape, Little repeatedly denied hurting Shanna Beyhl, 37, on April 4, 2014 but then when he was confronted by the fact that his shorts had blood on them that tested as being Beyhl's blood, he admitted Beyhl wouldn't give him drugs, so he grabbed her neck and stabbed her in the stomach on April 6, 2014.

Holst also said Little, 32, of Cedar Rapids, understood his right to a lawyer and to remain silent and agreed to talk to investigators. When Little said he wanted a lawyer, Holst stopped questioning him.

Little's lawyers are trying to prevent Little's confession from coming out at the trial because they claim he didn't understand his rights. They argued in a motion that Little had been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and suffered from mental illness most of his life. They also claim that it was an illegal interview at the jail in June 2014 because Holst didn't allow Little's attorney to know about it.

The suppression hearing lasted all day Friday and will continue 8:30 a.m. Monday in Linn County District Court. Two mental health experts will finish testifying and 6th Judicial District Judge Marsha Bergan will make a written ruling later.

Little in the audiotape recited out loud the Miranda rights when he was alone in the police interrogation room in the first interview on April 6, 2014. He was first arrested for stealing Beyhl's cell phone and then after the June interview was arrested on the first-degree murder charge.

Holst also said Little told him in the June interview that he stabbed Beyhl with a knife he got from her kitchen and even told him where to find the weapon, behind some garages adjacent to the Shamrock Apartments, where Beyhl lived. Holst said apartment staff retrieved the knife and turned it over to police.

During the confession on audiotape, Little on can be heard saying to Holst that he should tell Beyhl's dad he was sorry.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott asked if the information about the knife was released to the public.

Holst said it wasn't. The Shamrock staff knew but they were told not to disclose the information and to his knowledge they didn't.

On cross examination, Sarah Hradek, Little's lawyer, repeatedly asked Holst why didn't he call Little's lawyer during the June interview.

Holst said Little mentioned a lawyer but continued to talk to him and even said he wanted to talk.

Hradek also questioned Holst about not signing the visitor's log that day at the jail and that according to the audiotape Little was confused about who he was going to see that day. She asked Holst if Little could have been confused since he expected to see his lawyer that day.

Holst said he didn't know if he was confused or not but on the tape Holst makes the statement that he's not Little's lawyer, he is a police officer.

Holst also explained he and other officers usually don't sign the visitor's log.

Little is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree theft. He is accused of killing Beyhl in her Cedar Rapids apartment and also of trading or giving away items belonging to her after she died, according to a criminal complaint.

Beyhl was stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen, according to an autopsy.