(Atlantic) An Atlantic man has been found not guilty of the charges of Attempted Murder, Arson 1st Degree and Assault Causing Bodily Injury. The jury reached the verdict after less than one hour of deliberations.
Anthony Asay, 30, was accused of assaulting Dave Thomas and then setting a house on fire at 106 Cedar Street on May 4th while Thomas was still inside. The trial began Tuesday afternoon and the jury was submitted the case at 2:45 p.m. today. They delivered their verdict just before 3:40 p.m.
Asay was granted pretrial release to go to Pottawattamie County to address charges there and then he will have another trial in Cass County on August 2nd for the charges of Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
(Below is the story from early afternoon testimony)
(Atlantic) The defense rest their case at around 1:30 this afternoon in the State of Iowa vs Anthony Asay trial. Asay has been charged with Attempted Murder, Arson 1st Degree and Assault Causing Bodily Injury.
The Defense presented one witness, Brittany Asay. Brittany recently married Asay while he was in prison. She stated Asay, who was just her boyfriend around the time of May 4th, had stopped by her work at 11:00 PM on May 3rd and waited for her until she closed up at midnight. The two of them went back to Asay’s home on Birch Street and were there until around 2:30 AM, at which time they left to go to her sister’s house where she was living. They talked until around 6:00 AM and that’s when Asay left. Brittany stated that she would not lie for Asay and would not stay with him if he attempted to take someone’s life.
During cross examination, Attorney Vanessa Strazdas questioned Brittany about comments she made referring to herself and Asay as Bonnie and Clyde and that she would kill for him. She also questioned the statement she made to Deputy Olsen on scene the day Asay was arrested when she said she was not with Asay the night before when the assault and arson occurred. Strazdas also questioned her about text messages where she had to correct Asay on his alibi.
The jury was given their instructions and then the State and Defense presented their closing arguments. The case was submitted to the jury at 2:45 PM.
