‘Nightmare’ recounted in kidnapping trial

CEDAR RAPIDS - Convenience store clerk Amanda Daniel was missing for seven hours before she was found and before the extent of her “true nightmare” was known, a prosecutor charged Monday in the trial of the man accused of kidnapping her at knifepoint.

Daniel, in those seven hours, was sexually assaulted but fought back, stabbing Keith Elson Jr. and then barricading herself inside his apartment's bathroom.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns, in his opening statement Monday described the events of May 17, 2010, that ended with the police rescue of Daniel, then 19, and the arrest of Elson, 54, at his apartment.

Elson is charged with first-degree kidnapping. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. He waived his right to a jury trial, so 6th Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill is hearing the evidence and will decide the verdict.

Elson's attorney, Mike Lahammer of Cedar Rapids, did not make an opening statement on Monday, reserving that right when he begins his client's defense. Elson will not dispute the kidnapping but will claim diminished capacity and intoxication as his defense.

Burns, in his opening statement, said Elson planned the kidnapping.

Elson put a knife in his backpack before riding his bike to the Kwik Shop store at 1001 First Ave. SW. Before he left, he spread newspapers on the floor of his apartment, Unit 1 at 1400 Seventh Ave. SW.

Elson locked his bicycle near the convenience store. Inside the store, he put a knife to Daniel's throat and forced her to leave with him, walking through backyards and alleys to his apartment.

Once they were inside, Burns said, Elson ordered Daniel to take off her clothes and then brutally raped her.

“He told her sex was the only way to get high other than cocaine,” Burns said.

Elson told Daniel he'd been watching her for some time, Burns said. She told authorities Elson smelled of beer and drank some beers while they were in the apartment but didn't appear intoxicated.

Daniel became more fearful when she saw Elson getting more knives, so she grabbed one of them. They struggled over the weapon, and Elson started beating her. Daniel stabbed him, hit him and knocked him down.

Daniel made her way to the apartment's bathroom and barricaded herself inside, Burns said. She armed herself with what was available - scissors and a can of spray deodorant - and waited.

“She stayed there for over seven hours,” Burns said. “She was trapped without knowing her fate.”

Police finally came and broke down the door to the apartment.

On Monday, witnesses testified about a surveillance tape taken from the store. The tape showed Elson with a knife, holding Daniel by the neck, and taking her toward the front door. While the tape was played for the judge, Elson appeared to tear up as he watched it.

Cedar Rapids Police Officer Sarah Lacina said the walk-in freezer door was left open when she responded about 4:20 a.m., and Daniel's purse and cellphone were found in the store. The only car in the parking lot was Daniel's, she said.

Lacina said she had just seen Daniel about 3:55 a.m. when she stopped by the convenience store for coffee. They chatted and everything seemed normal. She left about 4:02 a.m. but returned at 4:20 a.m. when a customer called 911, saying no one was behind the store's counter.

Family members told The Gazette in May 2010 that Daniel had worked at the store for about eight months, and that Elson was a regular customer. Elson had lived at the Seventh Avenue since April 1, 2010, and was scheduled to be evicted for not paying his rent and for falsifying his application, his landlord said at the time.

Elson had been released from the Newton prison on March 21, 2010, after serving four months on a probation revocation on a domestic assault charge (second offense). He has a long criminal history, with repeated convictions for domestic abuse and assaults causing injury, at least three involving injuries to a woman and one to his brother. He has been on and off probation since 1989.

The state will continue its case 9 a.m. Tuesday.