Judge rules probable cause to hold Tama County man accused of stabbing teen

A federal magistrate ruled Monday there was 'clearly” probable cause for a murder charge to go before a grand jury against a 20-year-old man accused of sneaking up behind a 17-year-old and stabbing him to death in February,

Jonathan C. Youngbear is accused of fatally stabbing Severn D. Jefferson several times in his home on the Meskwaki Settlement Feb. 24.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Michael Kitsmiller testified during a hearing that Youngbear's cousin, Joseph Youngbear, told authorities he, Jonathan and Joseph's brother, Jefferson, were at Jonathan's home that day and the day before smoking methamphetamine and drinking. There was an argument between Joseph and Jefferson over who was the 'tougher one.”

Kitsmiller said after Jefferson sat down on the sofa, Jonathan Youngbear sneaked up behind the sofa, gave his cousin a hand motion to be quiet, putting his finger to his lips, and stabbed Jefferson from behind. Joseph Youngbear then ran out of house because he was scared that his cousin would harm him. Joseph said he knew Jonathan had a rifle in the home, which police found later.

Kitsmiller said Jefferson was stabbed in the upper chest and neck area. His body was found by police halfway in the hallway and in a bedroom. Jefferson's pants were pulled down like he had been dragged on the floor and there was blood on the floor. Authorities also found a black-handled knife in the kitchen.

Kitsmiller said Jonathan told agents he hit Jefferson with a hammer or knife. He later referred to him killing Jefferson. Jonathan was able to describe the knife and he said he moved the body to cover up his actions. Authorities did recover a hammer from the home.

A neighbor told police Joseph ran to her house and reported that his cousin stabbed his brother and that neighbor called 911, Kitsmiller said. Another neighbor initially told police Jonathan asked them to call 911, left, and then came back and told them 'never mind.” That same neighbor now says he doesn't think it was Jonathan.

Kitsmiller said Jonathan was at the home when police arrived and he didn't resist arrest. He had blood on his hands and on bracelets he was wearing. No other blood was found on his clothes, he said.

Diane Helphrey, Jonathan Youngbear's attorney, asked Kitsmiller if Jonathan seemed confused during the interview and did he say how much he had smoked and drank that day.

Kitsmiller said at certain points he didn't remember but as they talked, more details came to light. He told agents he had been up a couple of days but wasn't 'high” during the interview. He didn't say how much he or the others had smoked and drank.

U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles also detained Jonathan Youngbear pending further proceedings. He said there was 'strong evidence” he killed Jefferson and there were no conditions to ensure safety of the community.

If Jonathan Youngbear is indicted by a grand jury, a trial date will be set.