Nicholas Luerkens claims insanity, intoxication in fatal attack

CEDAR RAPIDS — The man accused of killing 29-year-old Lynnsey Donald in a Marion grocery store parking lot in April will claim he was insane or had diminished capacity and was intoxicated by drugs or alcohol at the time, according to court documents.

Nicholas Luerkens, 32 of Cedar Rapids, is charged with first-degree murder and his trial has been set for July 27 in Linn County District Court. He filed a notice of defense Tuesday.

Defense attorney David Grinde didn't provide details in the document, but wrote the defense would rely on testimony from a psychologist.

According to a criminal complaint, Luerkens ambushed his former girlfriend and stabbed her multiple times April 22 in the parking lot of the Marion Hy-Vee.

The fatal attack was captured on video from a nearby surveillance camera, and several people in the parking lot saw it.

Donald's family members said her 7-year-old son was one of those.

Luerkens then stabbed himself in the stomach, according to the complaint. He underwent surgery for his injuries and was released from a hospital a few days later.

Luerkens has pleaded not guilty and remains in the Linn County Jail on $1 million cash bail.