Iowa City stabbing suspect reaches plea deal

Lang
10/28/23

An Iowa City stabbing suspect has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Court records show 42-year-old Michaela Austin entered the plea Wednesday in Johnson County court. Iowa City Police say Austin became involved in an altercation with some children outside her home on Shady Glenn Court just before 10:15pm on April 27th. Austin allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the children’s mother multiple times in the chest and torso. The woman’s injuries were described by police as “severe”, requiring “significant medical intervention” and requiring several days in the hospital to treat.

Police say Austin admitted to stabbing the woman, saying she saw several people jump her son, with the victim punching him multiple times.

The victim claimed she was breaking up the fight, never hit anyone, and had no weapons.
Police say the son showed no signs of being attacked.

Austin was initially charged with Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury. If convicted, she would have faced a maximum of ten years in prison.

Terms of the plea deal have not been released. The next hearing in the case is set for November 13th.