Sentencing delayed for one of three involved in Iowa City murder

Monday's sentencing hearing for one of three men arrested in connection with the shooting death of an Iowa City landlord in October 2009 likely will be postponed until after his co-defendant stands trial in September.

Charles Thompson, 19, of Iowa City, originally was charged with first-degree murder in the death of John Versypt, 64, of Cordova, Ill.  But after a judge declared a mistrial in his case in October, Thompson in December took an unexpected plea deal that had him admitting guilt to accessory after the fact, an aggravated misdemeanor.

As part of that deal, Thompson was to remain in jail until after his sentencing hearing, which was scheduled for Monday, and until after he testifies against one of his co-defendants, Justin Marshall, 21, who was arrested in July 2011 on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with Versypt's death.

Marshall's murder trial originally was scheduled for May 22, but it has been pushed to Sept. 18.

Thompson's new, lesser charge carries a two-year prison term, but his attorney Tyler Johnston said his client has been in jail since 2009 and likely won't have to serve any more time after his sentencing hearing.

Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness said she expects Thompson's defense attorney to file a motion Friday asking to postpone the sentencing until after Marshall's trial. She said she expects Marshall's case to go forward on its scheduled date in September.

“Part of the plea agreement was that (Thompson) would cooperate with the state in Marshall's trial,” Lyness said. “So we would want to have Justin's Marshall's case concluded before (Thompson's) sentencing.”

The third co-defendant in the case, Courtney White, 24, of Coralville, also has been charged with first-degree murder and is scheduled for trial on Jan. 8.

Iowa City police have said they suspect Versypt, a landlord with units in the Broadway Condominiums in south Iowa City, was killed during an attempted robbery on Oct. 8, 2009, while checking in on his units.

Versypt, according to police, died after being shot in his right hand and in his head, according to trial information.

According to trial information, Thompson admitted that he knew Marshall and another man killed Versypt, and he also admitted to helping Marshall dispose of clothing worn the day of the shooting.