A man from Indiana, who authorities say lured an Iowa City man to his death by claiming to be a woman on a date and then fatally shot him in 2021, obtained another trial delay on Thursday, the ninth since being accused three years ago.
Renard Winfield Jr., 32, of Gary, Indiana, had his trial continued by Sixth Judicial District Judge Jason Besler because one of his counsel was unable to attend the originally scheduled trial on July 9. During a virtual status hearing in Johnson County District Court, Besler stated that while he understands the prosecution’s concerns about further delay, it would be unfair to Winfield to have only one lawyer for a murder trial.
Michael Adams of the State Public Defender’s Special Defense Unit requested the continuance due to a health issue in his family that prevented him from attending the July 9 trial. Amy Kepes, Winfield’s second lawyer, stated that she does not handle murder trials on her own and would benefit from having another lawyer there. She stated that Winfield did not want to replace Adams. Winfield only consented to the delay provided Adams could continue to represent him alongside Kepes.
Iowa MOTHER Faces CHARGES: TODDLER FOUND Walking Alone WITH Loaded GUN
Assistant Johnson County Attorney Jeffrey Brunelle objected to the delay, claiming that it biases the prosecution by forcing them to renew subpoenas, which become more difficult after three years when witnesses move and their schedules must be rearranged for a new trial.
Brunelle also suggested that witnesses’ memories can get “clouded” with time, thereby affecting their case. He mentioned that the special defense unit contains other lawyers, including some of the best in the state.
Besler stated this was unexpected and that he would approve the continuance.
Besler will call the lawyers on Friday to schedule a fresh trial date.
The last trial postponement occurred in January, when the defense alleged that prosecutors supplied more evidence to them only days before the trial was scheduled to begin.
Two Injured in Attack by Masked Men After High School Graduation at Hofstra University
According to the criminal complaint, Tommy Curry, 31, of Iowa City, was fatally shot on April 28, 2021. Winfield, charged with first-degree murder, is accused of luring Curry to an apartment complex by impersonating a woman and arranging up a “date” with him on April 28, 2021.
According to a criminal complaint, officers responded about 8 p.m. to multiple 911 calls to the Meadow Lark Apartment Complex, 2400 Lakeside. Dr. Curry was found inside his vehicle, and authorities stated he had been shot several times.
Curry later died from his injuries.
The complaint states that witnesses saw a man approach Curry’s vehicle and begin shooting.
Investigators examined Curry’s smartphone and discovered that he had been texting the same person since January 23, 2021. Curry’s text conversations indicated that he believed he was communicating with a woman he met on a dating website. Curry intended to meet the person at the Meadow Lake Apartments on April 28.
Investigators used the phone number and a dating website to track down Winfield, who they claimed was acting as a woman.
According to thegazette.com, police discovered a video on Winfield’s phone of him holding a handgun believed to be the same caliber as the one used to shoot Curry. The video also showed Winfield with ammunition discovered at the scene of the fatal shooting, and investigators collected security footage showing Winfield acquiring ammo days before the incident, according to the complaint.
Police also received further security footage depicting a white Dodge Journey speeding away from the crime scene. According to authorities, the automobile belonged to Winfield’s relative.