Lasley

The first day of the Ilias Lasley double murder trial began Tuesday with jury selection. After the prosecution and defense attorneys finished picking jurors in the mid-afternoon hours, everyone was dismissed. Opening statements by the attorneys should be given this morning.

Lasley, 30, of Ankeny, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder of Mario Murillo, 28, and Frances Tillie Gasca, 33, both of Marshalltown.

The charges stem from an April 19, 2024 shooting at a residence north of Marshalltown. The arrest report states that Lasley arrived at the residence and became upset the victims were speaking to one another in Spanish. He allegedly followed them outside and began shooting.

Two bodies with gunshot wounds were found by Marshall County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who went to the residence to perform a welfare check requested by a victim’s sibling. The deputies also found multiple shell casings which more than likely came from a handgun. A witness, who was at the residence when the shooting took place, told law enforcement Lasley was the shooter. According to the filed search warrant, the next day, law enforcement were informed about Lasley staying at the Econo Lodge in Des Moines, and the room was registered under a different name. When officers arrested Lasley at the Econo Lodge, they also found a firearm and two grams of methamphetamine.

The trial was originally scheduled to start in January 2025. However, due to the numerous parties involved and the anticipated length of the trial — six days — a new trial date was set.

Lasley is also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, which are Class D felonies carrying maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $7,500 fine. First-degree murder is a Class A felony and carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Representing Lasley are attorneys Christine Branstad and David Newkirk.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

bradstream@timeserpublican.com.