Don't forget about the CR criminals coming to Iowa City to perpetuate their crimes...
C.R. teen charged in Ped Mall shooting will claim self-defense
He also is asking for separate trial from co-defendant
IOWA CITY — Damarian Jones, charged with shooting five people April 19 on the Pedestrian Mall, plans to claim self-defense at trial and is asking a judge to separate his trial from a co-defendant accused of giving Jones the gun that night.
Jones, 18, charged with five counts of attempted murder and other charges, filed his notice of defense and the motion to sever Wednesday in Johnson County District Court. His lawyer indicated to a judge earlier this month that Jones might ask to separate his trial from co-defendant Ka’Mari L. Dozier, 17, of Cedar Rapids.
Jones’ lawyers, in the motion, said a joint trial would prejudice Jones. He has waived his speedy trial, and the lawyers will not be prepared to go to trial Aug. 18, given the “volume of discovery and nature of issues in this case,” the motion stated.
The prosecution had planned to try Jones and Dozier together, but Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith said during another hearing earlier this month that both defendants have the right to ask for separate trials.
A judge hasn’t ruled on the motion to sever.
Dozier demanded a speedy trial, and his trial remains set, as of Friday, for Aug. 18.
Jones is charged with three counts of willful injury, assault causing serious injury, two counts of willful injury causing bodily injury and one count of going armed with intent. Jones fled Iowa City after the shooting, and police issued a warrant for his arrest in April.
The U.S. Marshals Service tracked him to Forest Park, Georgia. He was extradited back to Iowa in May.
Dozier was charged later with supplying a gun to Jones during a break in the large fight that ensued about 1:45 a.m. in the 100 block of East College Street, according to police. Jones is accused of firing six times into the crowd, injuring five people who weren’t involved in the fight.
Dozier is charged with five counts of attempted murder and joint criminal conduct for supplying the firearm to Jones, police said. Dozier is prohibited from possessing firearms because he’s under age 18.
Several others are charged with participating in the fight that preceded the shooting.
Also, Isaiah M. Bates, 18, of Cedar Rapids, is accused of making arrangements to get Jones out of Iowa City and later conducted internet searches related to the disposal of firearms. Bates is charged with obstruction, accessory after the fact and participating in a riot.
Police said they had video evidence of Jones on the Ped Mall engaged in the fight that involved as many as 40 people. Police haven’t released any details on how the fight started or who, if anyone, was being targeted.
Police have not identified the shooting victims — three of them University of Iowa students — but did say they were bystanders and not involved in the fight.
Police said one shooting victim suffered a life-threatening head injury, another person was seriously injured and three others received lesser injuries.
According to a GoFundMe page, the woman with the head injury — identified as Miranda Peters — is a student at the University of Iowa who is studying to be a physician assistant. Her sister, Janjay Peters, who set up the page, has provided updates on her sister’s progress. She said her sister was recovering slowly and making improvements every week.
According to the most recent post from July 3, Miranda has started physical rehabilitation. The fundraiser is up to over $213,000, which will go toward Miranda’s care, rehabilitation and continuing medical expenses, her sister said.
Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts. She can be reached at
[email protected]
Damarian Jones (left) listens to his lawyer during his hearing July 10 in Iowa City. Jones is accused of shooting five people April 19 on the Pedestrian Mall. MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/THE GAZETTE
Ka’Mari Dozier, 17, of Cedar Rapids, leaves Johnson County District Court on July 10. He is accused of giving Damarian Jones the gun that Jones is accused of using to shoot into a crowd on the Iowa City Ped Mall in April. MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/THE GAZETTE
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