Lang
1/27/24
An Iowa City woman facing charges that she attacked her boyfriend with a knife is now accused of trying to influence his testimony in the case.
19-year-old Bernice Keita was taken into custody Monday night after a reported domestic dispute at her Ellis Avenue residence. Iowa City Police say Keita and her live-in boyfriend had been arguing when she punched him in the face. Keita then allegedly pulled out a utility knife and slashed at him with it, cutting his coat.
Keita was arrested and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault While Using or Displaying a Weapon and Interference with Official Acts. If convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum of 25 months in jail.
Police now say Keita has since called her ex-boyfriend five times from the Johnson County Jail, defying a no-contact order in the case. She allegedly used her own inmate Canteen account as well as that of a cellmate.
During the calls, Keita allegedly told her ex what he should say to prosecutors. She now faces a pair on no-contact order violations.