Lang
12/6/24
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has released an update in an Iowa City murder case involving the alleged catfishing of the victim.
33-year-old Renard Winfield Jr., of Gary, Indiana is accused of posing as a woman online to lure the victim, Tommy Curry, to the Meadowlark Apartment Complex on Lakeside Drive in April of 2021. Police say Winfield approached Curry’s vehicle and shot him multiple times.
Evidence includes surveillance video which allegedly shows Winfield fleeing the apartment complex in a vehicle registered to his mother. Prosecutors say phone records and videos will show Winfield was brandishing a 9mm pistol in Iowa City around the time of the crime.
Jury selection in the case was completed Wednesday. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office issued a Friday night news release indicating the prosecution will continue to call witnesses on Monday and expects to finish no sooner than Monday afternoon. The defense will then have their chance to call witnesses as early as Monday afternoon, but most likely Tuesday morning. If the Defense does not call any witnesses, closing arguments will commence.
Winfield is charged with first-degree murder, which is punishable by life in prison. The jury has been instructed they can convict Winfield of lesser charges including 2nd degree murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.