News : Jury begins deliberation in the Luke Truesdell murder trial

After nearly two weeks of witness testimony, evidence presentation, and security-camera video, the state delivered its closing arguments Thursday in the trial of Luke Truesdell, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

Truesdell was arrested in connection with the June 5, 2024, beating deaths of four individuals in Linn County.  Security footage shows that Romondus Cooper was in the outbuilding where Truesdell followed and Amanda Parker of Vinton entered secondly. Keonna Ryan of Cedar Rapids and Brent Brown of Marion appear to enter the building after it is assumed they heard the sounds of Amanda crying out inside. The latter two were then attacked.

Prosecutors reviewed evidence and testimony indicating that Truesdell admitted to striking each victim and directed law enforcement to the weapon used, which officers later recovered. In its closing argument, the defense urged jurors to question the state’s narrative and reject the assertion that Luke Truesdell was responsible for the killings and that perhaps a mystery person or Larry his father had attacked. 

During closing statements, prosecutors reminded the jury of the victims showing photos to the jury and again played portions of the security-camera footage. They highlighted the final moments in which Amanda Parker was seen entering the building and pointed to audio in which her screams can be heard. The state also referenced testimony from a deputy who asked Truesdell, while transporting him to jail, whether Parker had said anything; according to the deputy, Truesdell replied that she had said, “No, no, no.”

After receiving instructions from the court, the jury began deliberations and convened again on Friday morning.