Manchester man accused of drunken knife assault

IOWA CITY — A Manchester man faces up to 40 years in prison for attacking another man with a knife while highly intoxicated.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, officers responded to the 600 block of Iowa Avenue at 10:13 p.m. Oct. 11 for a report of a man who had been stabbed with a knife. Furthermore, the victim reported his assailant could still be inside the residence.

Responding officers opened the door to the residence and discovered the alleged attacker, 20-year-old Austin T. Brown, inside fighting with another resident. Police said when they encountered Brown, he took an 'aggressive posture' with officers, who deployed a Taser to stop him after Brown failed to comply with verbal commands. Brown was then taken into custody.

The victim reported to officers that Brown entered the home uninvited and began to fight with him for no reason. Brown pulled a pocket knife on the resident and cut his face.

Police said Brown was highly intoxicated and had no recollection of a majority of the incident. He allegedly told officers he was invited to a party at the residence, but didn't know who invited him or the names of the people who lived there.

Brown now faces charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony; going armed with intent, a Class D felony; willful injury causing bodily injury, a Class D felony; and assault while participating in a felony, a Class D felony. The Class B felony carries a potential 25 year sentence and each Class D felony carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com