Hunter
02/04/23
A new psychiatric evaluation has shown a Cedar Rapids man is competent to stand trial for a murder case.
The Gazette reports that 62-year-old Arthur Flowers has demanded a speedy trial, which will now begin February 14th.
Police were called in the early evening hours of April 2nd last year by Flowers to his home on the 1000 block of 10th Avenue Southeast for a medical emergency. He said that a woman had overdosed and needed attention.
When officers arrived, Flowers tried to leave but then took them to a bathroom where they found 22-year-old Emily Leonard. The criminal complaint says Leonard had obvious head injuries, and there was blood spatter all over the bathroom.
Investigators say the woman’s clothing was in disarray, and a bloodied 1-by-6 board was found in the bathroom. It’s believed that was the murder weapon, based on the woman’s head injuries. Flowers reportedly appeared to have blood on his hands.
During a hearing Friday, Judge Fae Hoover lifted the suspension of the case now that Flowers can understand the charges against him. Flowers agreed to keep his current lawyers as his representation.
If convicted, Flowers faces life in prison without parole.