Fort Dodge man found guilty of murder in 2020 altercation, faces life in prison

Mark David Russell, 31, of Fort Dodge, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a 45-year-old woman.

A jury found Russell guilty Thursday. He will be sentenced March 20 at the Webster County Courthouse in Fort Dodge and, under Iowa law, faces a mandatory life sentence.

Russell was accused of killing Angela Mcleod, 45, also of Fort Dodge, on Jan. 20, 2020. It's believed Mcleod was Russell's ex-girlfriend's mother.

More:Man charged in Fort Dodge woman's death was released from prison 6 weeks before slaying

Police responded to the scene at 21 N. 14th St. in Fort Dodge on reports of an altercation. A criminal complaint says Mcleod's daughter Melissa McKinley called 911 and told police Russell had previously threatened to kill Mcleod.

The complaint says that during interviews with officers, Russell told detectives he took responsibility for the injuries inflicted on Mcleod. He said he assaulted her with a golf club because of statements she made, according to the criminal complaint.

Russell's trial dragged on for two years due to several factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, psychiatric evaluations to determine if he was competent to stand trial, changes in legal representation, a variety of different pleas and a change of venue.

His competency was questioned at least three times over three years, which caused significant delays.

More:Fort Dodge man accused of killing ex-girlfriend's mother said 'she deserved what she got'

A court-appointed attorney submitted a statement to the court in February 2020 that Russell exhibited signs of a mental disorder and he had previously been diagnosed and treated for schizophrenia.

On March 5, 2020, the Iowa District Court for Webster County found probable cause that Russell had a mental disorder that prevented him from appreciating the charge, understanding the proceedings or assisting effectively in his defense. The case was suspended to allow for a psychiatric competency evaluation.

Russell later was found to be competent to stand trial.

On May 28, 2021, jail administrators in Webster City told the court Russell might be suffering from a mental disorder preventing his competency. Another court hearing found Russell competent to stand trial and the court ordered he receive continued treatment to maintain competency.

Then on Aug. 24, 2022, the court again found probable cause that Russell was suffering from a mental disorder. Proceedings were postponed to make time for another psychiatric competency evaluation based on testimony given by defense attorneys Wendy Samuelson and Matthew Moore and Sgt. Madeline Richardson and acting administrator Brody Goodman with the Webster County Jail.

The court again found Russell competent and reinstated the proceedings.

In the process, Russell also changed his plea several times. Russell sent a letter, hand-written on yellow legal paper, to Judge Angela Doyle that is stamped and filed July 27, 2020. In the letter he said he "would like to plead guilty on my case... I have asked for a plea bargin (sic) and have not received it. I realies (sic) I have made a mistake and need deal with it (sic). I am ready to settle this right away so I can be on my way to prison. I have yet to let my attorney know, and also know he would disagree with this, but I am tired of sitting up here in jail."

However, due to Iowa Code 814.6A, when a defendant is represented by council, the court will take no action on such a plea filing from a defendant.

On Sept. 14, 2020, Russell then filed a not guilty plea with the court through his attorney. In July of 2022, he also claimed self defense.

The trial started Feb. 6 and was held in Mason City, a change of venue granted due to publicity of the case.

Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Fort Dodge man found guilty of murder in 2020 altercation