CLIVE, Iowa (AP) - A central Iowa man who claimed self-defense in the stabbing death of another man has been found guilty of first-degree murder.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/1I9jCZs ) a jury returned the verdict Friday in the trial of 50-year-old Stephen Jonas, of Clive.
Jonas was accused of stabbing 21-year-old Zachary Paulsen in the morning hours of Aug. 23, 2014, in a lot behind Dean Paulsen & Sons Contractors in Clive. The business is owned by Paulsen’s family.
Assistant Polk County Attorney Olubunmi Salami said Jonas attacked Paulsen after a night of drinking at a bar. He said Jonas made a sexual advance toward Paulsen and the younger man rejected him.
Defense attorney Trevor Andersen argued Paulsen tried to hit Jonas was a hammer and his client was defending himself.
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com
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