Plea hearing Monday for one of three men allegedly involved in Iowa City murder

Lang
12/19/21

A plea hearing is set for Monday for a Rockford, Illinois man allegedly involved in a murder at an Iowa City apartment complex last year.

Police say that 34-year-old Patrick Bland illegally possessed the gun used in the shooting of 21-year-old Kejuan Winters during a robbery in April of 2020. Bland’s cellphone was found at Winters’ Broadway Street apartment when police arrived. Winters had multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Bland, along with the reported gunman, 45-year-old Reginald Little, and 23-year-old Durojaiya Rosa, were charged with first degree murder.

Police say Rosa and Little planned to rob Winters, with Rosa telling authorities they did not intend to kill him. Little was found guilty on December 7th. Sentencing is set for January 7th.

Rosa reached a plea agreement that calls for 17 ½ years of mandatory prison time for 1st degree robbery, 1st degree burglary and voluntary manslaughter. He could be sentenced to up to 50 years at a March 4th hearing.

Bland’s plea hearing is set for Monday at 10am at the Johnson County Courthouse.