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More charges in attempted murder case

Man accused of stabbing his father multiple times

Brian Wengert

STATE CENTER — The man accused of trying to kill his father over the weekend is facing additional criminal charges.

On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Brian Wayne Wengert, 44, of State Center, with attempted murder after they found his father, Randy Wengert, 70, lying in the front yard of their State Center residence suffering from multiple stab wounds.

According to Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman, at 6:12 p.m. Saturday, his office received a report of a medical event at the Wengerts’ residence.

When a sheriff’s deputy arrived, he found the elder Wengert on the ground outside suffering from “obvious trauma.”

Randy Wengert was transported by ambulance to UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown, and later moved to a trauma unit at a Des Moines hospital. As of press time late Sunday, Randy Wengert’s condition was still unknown.

After initially tending to the the elder Wengert and calling for medical personnel, deputies entered the residence to check on the welfare of Randy Wengert’s wife and their son, Brian. The officers removed Mrs. Wengert out of the residence and detained the son, following a brief struggle.

Authorities transported the younger Wengert to the Marshalltown hospital for observation initially, but not due to any apparent injury, Hoffman said. Medical officials later released Brian Wengert to the custody of the sheriff’s office where they charged him with attempted murder.

On Sunday, additional charges were filed including obstruction of emergency communications, domestic assault with a weapon and possession of methamphetamine. Brian Wengert is currently being held at the Marshall County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

Hoffman said the alleged dispute between father and son appears to be isolated and no other parties were involved. Following the execution of a search warrant at the residence, Hoffman said authorities found a large knife believed to be have been used in the assault as well as meth and other drug paraphernalia.

Brian Wengert has a history of criminal behavior. According to Iowa Courts Online, he has previously be charged with multiple crimes including assault, accessory to a felony, drunk driving, interference with official acts, harassment, a violation of a no contact order, public intoxication and multiple traffic infractions.

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Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or jhutton@timesrepublican.com

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