Plea hearing scheduled for man allegedly involved in Iowa City murder

Hunter
10/07/21

Trial for a Rockford Illinois man allegedly involved in the murder of a man at an Iowa City apartment complex in April 2020 has been reset for next year, with a plea hearing set for December.

Police say that 33-year-old Patrick Bland’s illegally possessed gun was used in the shooting of 21-year-old Kejuan Winters during a robbery. Bland’s cellphone was found at the Broadway Street apartment when police came upon Winters, who 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, are charged with first degree murder. Little is due to be tried November 30th, while Rosa’s trial is set to begin November 2nd.

Police say Rosa and Little planned to rob Winters, with Rosa telling authorities they did not intend to kill the man.

Bland’s trial was originally scheduled to start this past Tuesday before Judge Lars Anderson reset the date this week to January 25th.  The plea hearing is set for the morning of December 10th.