Hunter/Lang
08/16/22
A North Liberty man arrested for a Benton County murder has entered a plea of not guilty at his initial appearance Monday.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, 38-year-old Tacoa Talley of Prairie Ridge Road was taken into custody August 4th for the murder of Jodie Bevans of Palo. An alleged accomplice, 34-year-old Samantha Faith Bevans of Palo, was arrested the night before.
Jodie Bevans was found unresponsive in her 64th Street residence on July 15th. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Talley and Samantha Faith Bevans have each been charged with 1st Degree Murder. If convicted, they each face life in prison with no chance of parole.
Talley made news last year when he was arrested for allegedly injecting a victim with unknown substances while the person slept at his residence. Multiple witnesses reportedly told investigators that they saw Talley inject the victim, causing the person to sleep for excessive amounts of time.
North Liberty Police also say that Talley’s son reported that his father had attempted to suffocate him.
Talley pleaded guilty to two Child Endangerment charges and was given a suspended sentence. The other charges were dropped. Talley also has previous domestic abuse and no-contact order violation convictions.
Last week, Judge Chad Kepros allowed a Johnson County public defender to withdraw as Talley’s lawyer, and a Waterloo public defender was appointed. On Monday, Talley’s new attorney, Aaron Hawbaker, entered a written arraignment and a plea of not guilty. Talley has not waived his right to a speedy trial; further court dates have yet to be scheduled.