Scott Swartz

On Monday, the Marshalltown Police Department opened a murder investigation and recommended murder charges be filed against Scott David Swartz, the 47-year-old man who was arrested and accused of severely beating his father Paul Leroy Swartz, 78, on Jan. 7. 

Paul Swartz has since died while receiving medical care for the injuries he suffered during the incident. 

Scott Swartz was originally arrested on charges of attempt to commit murder, domestic abuse assault – second offense, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine – first offense. On Monday afternoon, Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney announced that the charge of attempt to commit murder had been amended to murder in the first degree due to Paul Swartz’s death.

Scott Swartz remains incarcerated at the Marshall County Jail since his initial arrest on Jan. 7. 

Judge Jennifer Miller was appointed to preside over the case on Monday. Prior to the charges being amended, a competency hearing was scheduled for Jan. 27 at 10:45 a.m., and an arraignment was set for Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.