Crews convicted in murder trial
(ABC 6 News) – A Hancock County man was convicted of 2nd-degree murder in his estranged wife’s death Monday, Oct. 14, down from his original charge of 1st-degree murder.
At 9:40 a.m., the court filed Roger Laverne Crews Jr.’s verdict.
Back in October of last year, Crews told the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office he had a fight with his wife, Karen Crews, and he assaulted her.
Hancock County responders conducted a welfare check at her home in Woden, Iowa, and found Karen dead. She was found dead in her home — zip-tied, beaten, lacerated, and strangled.
Officers determined the cause of death as a result of blunt force trauma, cuts, and strangulation.
A motion was filed by the defense back in June to suppress evidence including video interviews between Crews and law enforcement where Crews admitted to assaulting his wife in her home.
That motion was denied, and the evidence was reviewed by the court during the trial last week.
Over the course of last week, Crews’ trial covered explicit video interviews with the defendant, in which he admitted to hitting 56-year-old Karen Abby Crews in her Woden home.
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Hancock County Attorney did not respond to ABC 6 News’ request for comment, and Crews’ defense attorney says they will not be commenting on today’s verdict.
Crews’ sentencing had not been scheduled Monday afternoon.