GUILTY IA - JoEllen Browning, 65, found stabbed to death in home, Iowa City, April 2019 *husband arrested*

[PommyMommy]

I wonder what this guy was spending all this $$ on....

That's one of my biggest questions too. Sometimes I'm not sure I want to know. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

NOV 22, 2019
Trial date set for man accused of killing wife
[…]

The estate of JoEllen Browning is estimated to be worth more than $2 million in retirement accounts and other sources, according to court documents.

Last week Roy Browning stepped down as executor of the estate of his wife and his adult children were appointed in his place.

[…]

 

[GarAndTeed]

An overview of Leon Spies:
<snip>
IOWA CITY — Like most criminal defense lawyers, Leon Spies has been asked how he stomachs representing people charged with heinous crimes.

Even Spies’s parents wondered.

“Mom and Dad used to say ‘How can you defend these people?’,” Spies said. But when his father was on his deathbed, Spies asked why he had stopped asking the question. His father confessed a truth discerned over years of hearing about his son’s work: “I love the stories.”

Spies’s clients have included a meth-maker compared to Walter White from TV’s “Breaking Bad,” a motorcycle gang enforcer, a film aficionado, a slew of University of Iowa athletes and other prominent Iowans.

But Spies himself is a courtroom character with his steadfast calm, elegant handlebar mustache and reputation as one of Iowa’s most successful trial lawyers. <snip>
Profile: Leon Spies handles tough cases over 40 years

 

[PommyMommy]

DEC 4, 2019
Lawyers for Roy Browning Jr. call $5 mil. bond amount "clearly excessive"
[…]

In a new court filing Tuesday, defense lawyers argue the $5 million bond is excessive and unnecessary "given either the nature of the offense or the characteristics of the defendant."

The defense added that Roy Browning Jr. is not a flight risk and that they believe he is not a danger to the community.

[…]

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 3, 2020
Judge rules bond for accused murderer to remain at $5 million

• Defense lawyers argued the bond was excessive and compared the bond amount to all other murder cases in Iowa throughout the past decade.
• Prosecutors argued RB is a flight risk, citing internet searches for flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• RB's daughter testified that her parents took an annual trip to Puerto Rico and that it was common for them to search that destination.
• Judge ruled the bail will remain at $5 million dollars.
• Murder trial is scheduled for March 10, 2020.

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 6, 2020
Judge orders Roy Browning Jr.'s bail to stay at $5 million
[...]

In an additional document filed by Spies on Jan.1, Browning's children "have maintained close daily contact" with him and don't think there's reason to believe he would flee.

His daughter, who lives in Des Moines, is not aware of "emotional or physical health issues" her father could have that could represent a risk of danger to either himself or the community, according to the document.

[...]

His son, who lives in Iowa City, occasionally stayed with his father at his home before his arrest, according to the document.

"Ms. Adrianse and MB continue to be supportive of [Roy Browning Jr.] and have assisted him with home maintenance, management of JoEllen Browning's estate, organization of household finances, and other family obligations," according to the document.

[...]​

 

[Razz]

The guy murdered their mother for heaven's sake!! And he was draining her money from her accounts!!

 

[PommyMommy]

The guy murdered their mother for heaven's sake!! And he was draining her money from her accounts!!

Yeah, disconcerting, to say the least. MOO

 

[OhioBlues]

Yeah, disconcerting, to say the least. MOO

I understand when children forgive the parent but it is hard to understand adult children forgiving a murder over money.

 

[SharonNeedles]

Trial date to be moved for man accused of killing his wife, UI Health Care budget official JoEllen Browning
...

The case management conference was set for Friday, and the trial previously was going to begin on March 10. A scheduling conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 26 via telephone between the defense and the state to set new dates for both.

According to documents filed Monday, the defense requested a delay in the trial due to a previously granted motion to extend deadlines on pretrial motions. The defense also wanted a trial delay due to “other conflicting professional obligations, the substantial amount of discovery yet to be reviewed, and the need to pursue additional defense investigation,” court documents read.
...

 

[SharonNeedles]

Trial delayed for Roy Browning Jr.
[...]
His trial had been scheduled to begin March 10, but on Thursday a judge granted Browning’s request for a delay. The new starting date: Oct. 13.

Prosecutors have said Roy Browning killed his wife just hours before she was set to learn about financial problems he had tried to hide from her. She was director of operating budgets at University of Iowa Health Care.
https://www.kcci.com/article/trial-delayed-for-man-accused-of-fatally-stabbing-wife/31157059

 

[JerseyGirl]

His trial is now set to happen on March 16th next year.

Trial for Iowa City man accused of murder delayed to next year

 

[PommyMommy]

OCT 12, 2020
Jury trial scheduled for March for man accused of killing his wife, UI Health Care budget official JoEllen Browning
[...]

According to court documents, the case management conference has been scheduled to Feb. 2, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Courthouse. The jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

[...]

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial for Iowa City man accused of killing his wife delayed until August

Roy Browning Jr. is now scheduled to face a jury trial on August 10.

 

[PommyMommy]

FEB 20, 2021
New trial date set in IC murder case | The Mighty 1630 KCJJ
On Friday, Judge Kevin McKeever set a date of August 10th for the jury trial of 68-year-old Roy Browning Jr. Trial was originally scheduled to start last October, but Browning’s attorney, Leon Spies, argued that the spike in Johnson County COVID-19 cases at the time had not allowed him and his client to go over documents in a confidential setting.

And...from Jersey Girl's link...

FEB 19, 2021
Trial for Iowa City man accused of killing his wife delayed until August
The trial was scheduled to start on March 16, but is being delayed because Browning's lawyer recently filed a motion asking the court to order the Iowa City Police Department to release evidence so the defense can conduct "independent scientific testing."

 

[JerseyGirl]

The murder trial for Roy Browning has been reset again, this time for August 10, 2021.

Murder trial for Roy Browning Jr. rescheduled

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 20, 2021
Trial for 2019 Iowa City murder further delayed until 2022 (kcrg.com)
A filing in Johnson County District Court showed that the start date for the trial of Roy Browning, Jr., is now set for February 1, 2022, after most recently being delayed until August 2021. The trial has previously been delayed three total times.

Trial for Iowa City man charged with killing his wife delayed until 2022 (kwwl.com)
Browning has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces mandatory life in prison without parole.

Iowa City man accused of killing his wife gets murder trial delayed until early 2022 | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
The trial has been rescheduled multiple times partially due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

[Razz]

JUL 20, 2021
Trial for 2019 Iowa City murder further delayed until 2022 (kcrg.com)
A filing in Johnson County District Court showed that the start date for the trial of Roy Browning, Jr., is now set for February 1, 2022, after most recently being delayed until August 2021. The trial has previously been delayed three total times.

Trial for Iowa City man charged with killing his wife delayed until 2022 (kwwl.com)
Browning has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces mandatory life in prison without parole.

Iowa City man accused of killing his wife gets murder trial delayed until early 2022 | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
The trial has been rescheduled multiple times partially due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Is this guy out on parole?

 

[PommyMommy]

Is this guy out on parole?

No, his trial hasn't taken place yet. IIRC, his bail is $5 million. According to VINELink, he's in the Johnson County Jail.

 

[Razz]

No, his trial hasn't taken place yet. IIRC, his bail is $5 million. According to VINELink, he's in the Johnson County Jail.

I think I meant to say out on bail.
Very good to know. Thank you!