North Iowa Man Convicted of Sexual Assualt, Kidnapping Gets Sentencing Delay
While he waits for a ruling on his request for a new trial, a north Iowa man has been granted a delay in his sentencing on his conviction for sexually assaulting a female victim while holding her against her will.
44-year-old Bjorn Luster of Cresco after he was accused of sexually assaulting the victim, restraining her with duct tape and zip ties, and threatening to kill her while putting a muzzleloader gun to her head between May 2nd and May 10th.
On October 3rd, a Howard County jury found him guilty of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree sexual abuse. He was scheduled to be sentenced Monday (11.20).Â
However, Judge Richard Stochl approved a continuance of sentencing after Luster’s defense counsel filed a motion Thursday, November 16, requesting an arrest of judgment and a new trial. Defense claims include the state withheld evidence and/or denied them timely access to discovery, the prosecution’s key witness perjured herself on the stand, the jury was given improper instructions during trial, and that they have additional evidence to prove Luster’s innocence.Â
There has been no ruling on Luster’s request for a new trial, but his sentencing date has been delayed to December 4th. Luster remains held in the Howard County Jail in Cresco.Â
