North Liberty murder-for-hire suspect pleads not guilty

NORTH LIBERTY - The North Liberty man who allegedly plotted to have a family of four killed has pleaded not guilty to the eight charges against him.

Justin DeWitt, 36, filed a written arraignment and plea on Wednesday. Also Wednesday, his trial was set for Oct. 4, and his pretrial conference was scheduled for Sept. 23.

Trial information documents filed last week officially charged DeWitt with four counts of attempted murder and four counts of solicitation to commit murder. He was arrested on June 27 after meeting with a person he thought was a hit man - actually an undercover officer - and paying him $1,000 as a down payment in the murder-for-hire scheme, police said. DeWitt then signed a contract to have the family killed for $8,000, according to police.

Police learned about DeWitt's plot when they received a tip from a concerned citizen, they said.

Various court documents have identified DeWitt's intended target as Chad Williams, as well as his wife and two young children. Williams is the owner of Absolute Outdoor Services Inc., a lawn care and landscaping business that shares an address in Riverside with DeWitt's Lawn & Landscaping Inc.

Authorities have not specified why DeWitt allegedly wanted Williams killed. Police said the men had a 'pretty convoluted” relationship.

Police said they found marijuana, smoking devices and multiple firearms in DeWitt's home during a search of his residence. Guns were found in a safe in his basement, as well as his bedroom, according to court documents. Those weapons have been seized and DeWitt's permit to carry has expired. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office said the permit would have been suspended had it still been valid.

Police said the Williams family learned about the plot against them after DeWitt was taken into custody, but that precautions were taken to protect them before his arrest.

The trial information documents name seven witnesses, including Williams and a number of law enforcement officials.

Attempted murder is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Solicitation to commit murder is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

DeWitt remains in custody on a $600,000 cash bond.