State of Iowa v. Patrict Roosevelt Hickman Isabell

Waterloo, Iowa criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with "robbery in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, and going armed with intent.

In the early morning hours on or about July 14, 2021, Edna Crawley was at home with her daughter, Shinita Crawley, and her grandson, Khalil Crawley. Edna and Khalil both had rooms on the same floor of the house, while Shinita slept downstairs in the basement. Edna occupied the back bedroom and had retired for the night when she heard a sound like "somebody had ran into the house." Upon hearing two individuals trying to break through her window, Edna woke her grandson up.



Edna saw both men were carrying guns in their hands as they entered her hallway. One asked for money and jewelry, as well as Edna's grandson's ring. Edna would later identify this man as Patrick Isabell. Isabell then proceeded to point his gun at Edna and instructed her to the kitchen, she complied. Khalil heard Edna scream and upon opening his door saw two men holding guns. He proceeded to try and barricade himself in his room by locking the door.



While the two men were upstairs with Edna and Khalil, Shinita was able to call 911 from the basement. She informed the dispatcher the intruders had guns. She continued to stay hidden in the basement until the police arrived.



Back upstairs, Isabell kicked through Khalil's door and aimed his gun at Khalil's head. Khalil stated the guns used were two pistols with extended clips. Isabell took a chain and graduation ring from Khalil while also demanding money. Isabell continued to make threatening remarks about killing Edna.



The police arrived shortly after Shinita called 911. Both Shinita and Khalil overheard statements by both men about hiding the weapons. Eventually, the masked men left the house and surrendered to police. Edna left the home while the men were distracted by the police. Shinita and Khalil exited the home together several minutes after the men surrendered.



None of the witnesses recognized the two men at the time of the incident, stating both men were fully covered. However, both Khalil and Edna noted several differences between the men, which later helped identify them. After exiting the home, Khalil was able to recognize a vehicle parked on the corner of the street. He knew the vehicle belonged to Isabell because the two had previously worked together and from prior encounters with friends.



Police obtained and executed a search warrant for the victim's home. In the search officers were able to locate a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic handgun under the living room couch cushion. Additionally, a high-capacity extended 9mm magazine containing ammo was in a box next to an end table in the living room. All three residents told the police they neither owned a gun at the time nor knew of any gun being in the home.



The police tested the gun for fingerprints, but none were located. The gun was also swabbed for DNA analysis, but testing was never performed. A trace was performed using the serial number from the weapon, to determine the purchaser information. This came back showing the gun had been purchased in Missouri in February of 2017 to someone with the last name Johnson.



Isabell was subsequently arrested and charged with robbery in the first degree, in violation of Iowa Code sections 711.1 and 711.2 (2021); burglary in the first degree, in violation of sections 713.1 and 713.3; and going armed with intent, in violation of section 708.8. Isabell entered a plea of not guilty and waived his right to a jury trial. The bench trial commenced on December 14, 2022. The court issued its written verdict on December 19, 2022, finding Isabell guilty on all three counts.

Convicted.



Affirmed on appeal.



State v. Isabell, 23-0535 (Iowa App. Mar 06, 2024)