Trending
FORT DODGE – Jose Enrique Morales of Marshalltown was found guilty of second degree murder by a Webster County jury Friday in the shooting death of Dedrikk Fisher, 20, also of Marshalltown.
The reading of the verdict by District Court Judge John Haney was met by sobbing by Fisher’s family and friends, and was followed by expletives directed at Morales as court was adjourned.
Law enforcement personnel reacted quickly to the disturbance, and remained standing by the family until escorting them out of the courtroom when court was adjourned.
Morales responded to the verdict without emotion, and remained seated between his defense attorneys, Scott Hunter and Aaron Siebrecht of the Marshall County Public Defenders Office.
“Obviously, I am very disappointed in the verdict,” said Marshall County Attorney Jennifer Miller. “I appreciate the juror’s time and consideration of the case. We were hoping for murder in the first degree, but we accept their decision.”
Assistant Attorney General Laura Roan, who co-prosecuted the case with Miller, said she agreed with Miller’s statement, but had no further comment.
The jury began deliberations Friday morning, before announcing to the court that a verdict had been reached at approximately 1:20 p.m.
Morales, 19, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder filed by Marshall County authorities in mid-January, after he was accused of shooting Fisher after a dispute on the front porch of 1203 W. Church St.
Eyewitnesses told the Marshalltown Police Department that Morales was the shooter and authorities immediately began an extensive manhunt in the area following countless leads and tips.
Morales evaded authorities four days before he was apprehended at a Marshalltown apartment complex.
Throughout the trial which began with opening arguments Wednesday, Miller and Roan used extensive physical evidence and witness testimony to show Morales had acted with pre-meditation, placed Morales at the scene of the crime, and that Morales had sole possession of a handgun that killed Fisher.
They followed with testimony that Morales had immediately fled the scene and had hidden the gun behind two air conditioning units behind Dollar General on North 9th St.
Second-degree murder is punishable by a minimum of 35 years to a maximum of 50 years.
Judge Haney said a sentencing date would be set in the future.