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Meskwaki murder case moved to federal court
Apr. 9, 2014 3:53 pm, Updated: Apr. 9, 2014 7:07 pm
A 20-year-old man was charged Wednesday in federal court in the Febuary stabbing death of a 17-year-old on the Meskwaki Settlement.
A first-degree murder charge intially filed in Tama County District Court was dismissed Tuesday against Jonathan C. Youngbear and he is now charged in U.S. District Court. Youngbear is accused of stabbing Severn D. Jefferson to death Feb. 24 at Youngbear's home.
Youngbear asked the court for a preliminary hearing and a hearing regarding detainment. He was shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit for the court hearing. He didn't speak, except to confirm his name and if he understood his rights.
No family members of friends attended the hearing.
U.S. Magistrate Jon Scoles set a detainment and preliminary hearing for 1 p.m. Monday. If probable cause is established by the prosecution next week, the charge will go before the grand jury, he said.
Youngbear will be held without bond pending Monday's hearing.
Johnathan Curtis Youngbear makes his first appearance in District Court at the Tama County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Toledo, Iowa. Youngbear has been charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing of Severn Jefferson. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)
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