Material witness dismissed in homicide case

A man being held for over four months in the Johnson County Jail as a material witness was released today, according to court documents.

Justin Marshall, 19, had been in custody since Nov. 18 after police said he'd provided witness statements that were incorrect in relation to the shooting death of Iowa City landlord John Versypt. According to court documents, he changed his story multiple times about his knowledge of the shooting and the events immediately before and after it.

Police said Versypt - a landlord at the Broadway Condominiums, 1958 Broadway - was found dead Oct. 8 from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Marshall's attorney, Sarah Majerus of Iowa City, argued for his release in March stating his incarceration was unconstitutional, but  Assistant Johnson County Attorney Meredith Rich-Chappell argued otherwise. She said Marshall may flee and be unable to be reached for questioning at further dates 17-year-old Charles W.C. Thompson, who faces a first-degree murder charge for the case.