Jessica did not know that this friendship would soon become a toxic chapter in her life. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. She said Levin refused to let her leave and she was afraid that he was going to rape her. I am currently working as a producer, videographer, and editor for the Irvine Unified School District. Skip to Apply, Request Info, Jobs, Contact links, BA, Comparative History of Ideas & European Studies, University of Washington, 2003, JD, Seattle University School of Law, magna cum laude, 2008. He was also found hiding in the basement of yet another girl he had similar plans for. Levin then lured Jessica outside of her home by telling her he needed help with his car. Jessica Vega, the woman who had been abducted by Levin under false pretenses, provided testimony and stated how she managed to escape. Levin had just moved in after being released from prison, according to court records. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The jury found 21-year-old Kirk Levin guilty of first degree murder and third degree kidnapping. Kirk Levin confessed to kidnapping Jessica Vega in an interview with the investigators. Frank Kirk, Orland Park - physician and surgeon license (036-079537) and controlled substance license (336-042524) revoked and license fined $5,000 after he failed to respond . 35 lives were lost and 18 were injured after a structural failure occurred almost 190ft above the Yarra River. But when he bound her hand and feet and took her into his mothers house, Vega started imploring him to take her back to her home so that she could get back to her daughter. View the profiles of professionals named "Jessica Frank" on LinkedIn. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In re the Personal Restraint Petition of Raymond Mayfield Williams, Jr. State of Washington v. Jeremiah James Gilbert, State of Washington v. Zyion Houston-Sconiers and Treson Roberts. Levin declined to testify after his defense called no witnesses, according to a local newspaper. Dead Silent is in the rural town of Early, Iowa, to investigate the murder of Marilyn Smith, who was killed by her own son, Kirk Levin, a short time after he had been released from prison. As a teenager, Levin had been treated by a therapist because he fantasized about raping women, and hed been caught on several occasions appearing to act on his urges. He also faces a third-degree kidnapping charge in connection to 21-year-old Jessica Vega. Levin is also accused of kidnapping a 21-year-old woman hours after the murder. Youre clearly not insane, Finn said to Levin. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Jessica Kirk is the newest member of the CBS 4 Valley Storm Team. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Levin had served 26 months of a 5-year prison term but that was enough to complete his sentence under an Iowa law that routinely cuts prison terms by more than half. She said Levin showed up at her Storm Lake home and asked for help with his car, which he said ran out of gas. Levins trial was moved to Webster County due to pretrial publicity. Judge Timothy Finn asked Levin if he would like to make a statement himself before sentencing. Fair Housing Center of Washington v. Breier-Scheetz Properties, LLC et al. In 2009, he was caught hiding in the basement of a girl he intended to rape. Then after driving for some time, the car met with a small accident, and a local farmer spotted it. (AP Photo/The Messenger, Hans Madsen), Sandra Schmitt, the mother of victim Marilyn Schmitt, testifies during Kirk Levin's first-degree murder trial at Webster County District Court in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Jessica did not know that this friendship would soon become a toxic chapter in her life. Since then, Iowa investigators have given no hint of a motive and refuse to release documents related to their investigation, even though the case has concluded. FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) --- A jury has returned a guilty verdict in the trial of a northwest Iowa man accused of killing his mother and kidnapping another woman. Levin, 21, of Early was convicted on June 6 of killing Marilyn Schmitt, 45, of Early. Kirk Levin, 21, makes his initial appearance with defense attorney Chuck Kenville in Sac City, Iowa, on Tuesday. Here, she came across another man named Kirk Levin, and the two became friends over online interactions. Jessica's experience before joining the Korematsu Center in 2013 includes two judicial clerkships and private practice in commercial litigation. Levin is charged with first-degree murder in the January death of Marilyn Schmitt. After they drove to Schmitts house, investigators say Levin took the woman to a barn, tied her up with a rope, put her in a car trunk, and then took her out and put her in the back seat. In January 2003, Jessica Vega was living in Storm Lake, Iowa. The Webster County jury deliberated for about two hours before finding Kirk Levin, 21, of Early, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, 45, the Messenger in . The sentence ended and we had to open up the door, said Department of Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta. When the police asked Levin questions about his mothers whereabouts, his answers were evasive and contradictory. A motive is unclear. (JIM LLE / Sioux City Journal). You can cancel at any time. After being discharged from prison in January 2013, Levin returned home with his mother to their farmhouse in Early, where he stabbed his mother, following which he drove to Storm Lake and abducted Jessica Vega, who was ultimately able to escape. (CBS/AP) IOWA CITY, Iowa - An Iowa man was arrested Jan. 3 and charged with murdering his mother and kidnapping another woman within hours of . Levin later took Vega to a barn, told her she was being kidnapped and tied her up. He has forgiven me and that is why I forgive you.. And when asked, What would you do if she drank it and it worked, meaning it put her to sleep, Would you have gone through with raping her, his answer was yes.. Gary Schramm, a farmer from Early, stopped to help him. However, once they arrived, Levin took Vega into a barn where he threw a rope around her. How you wasted 21 years of my life worrying about you and carrying about you.. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Stephan was asking a judge to send Levin to prison in a car theft case, citing Levins increasingly dangerous behavior, which included burglarizing homes, stealing cars and engaging in fantasies involving kidnapping and rape. At his trial, Jessica testified that she heard something in the early hours of the morning of January 3, which she assumed were twigs or trees hitting her windows. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Its not reduced to a term and you wont be let go for another reason.. The statement by 21-year-old Kirk Levin, of Early, was presented to jurors in Webster County. FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) --- A northwest Iowa man accused of killing his mother and kidnapping another woman doesn't remember the slaying, though he recalls choking his mother, according to a written statement presented Wednesday at his murder trial. I think she still was scared, till her dad came and then I finally think she had some peace, and knew that she was safe, he said. He then put her into the trunk of his car only to change his mind and then place her on the backseat. Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure testified during the trial that he went to check on Schmitt when Levins responses about his mothers whereabouts became inconsistent. Jessica Levin is an assistant director and staff attorney at the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law, where she teaches the Civil Rights Clinic and engages in a broad range of civil rights litigation before state and federal courts. Principal at Deloitte. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Copyright Messenger News | https://www.messengernews.net | 713 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, IA 50501 | 515-573-2141. He also faces a third-degree kidnapping charge in connection to 21-year-old Jessica Vega. Jessica had already survived an abusive childhood and was doing well raising her daughter, Victoria and attending college. However, it was a close call with a tornado while she was living in Virginia that sparked her lifelong curiosity of the atmosphere. Even though I have a reason to hate you, I dont, Vega told Levin. Jessica was somehow able to escape the abduction and later testified against the man in court. On January 3, 2013, the police discovered the remains of Marilyn Schmitt in the bedroom of her Early farmhouse. Then Vega, who was lying down in the passenger seat, screamed that she had been kidnapped and needed help. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Kirk Levin, 21, makes his initial appearance with defense attorney Chuck Kenville in Sac City, Iowa, on Jan. 8, 2013. Schmitts body was found during the investigation into Vegas kidnapping. Principal at Deloitte. Judge Gary McMinimee sentenced Levin to 5 years in prison and allowed him to be transported to Wisconsin to return to prison for violating his parole there. He also broke into a tractor trailer on the property and stole a credit card and other items that were inside. Jurors deliberated for about two hours. Jessica had already survived an abusive childhood and was doing well raising her daughter, Victoria and attending college. Once they reached, Levin tied her hands and feet and placed her in the back seat. She was able to do so when Levin drove his truck into a ditch. She said she eventually convinced him to drive back to Storm Lake, but on the way back Levin drove into a ditch. A doctor who counseled Levin warned that he would likely try to act on his violent sexual fantasies if he ever went off of unspecified medications, Stephan added. EARLY, Iowa --- Kirk Levin has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his mother. Schmitt had 88 sharp force injuries on her body, which were believed to have been caused by a kitchen knife. Jessica was returned to her family thereafter. In this episode, Amber covers the survival story of Jessica Frank Vega. Theres no getting around that.. Charles Kenville, Levin's attorney, had argued the state failed to prove Schmitt's death was premeditated. Jurors also found him guilty of third-degree kidnapping in the abduction of Jessica Vega, a woman he met online. Feb 2010 - Jun 20105 months. During his trial in 2013, the prosecutors played a tape of Levin being interrogated by the police after his arrest. He then asked her to drive to Early, a town 100 miles northwest from Des Moines. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Sandra Schmitts letter also criticized the decision to release Levin from prison. Investigation Discovery unravels the strange murder of Marilyn Schmitt and the kidnapping of Jessica Vega, both committed by the same man, Kirk Levin. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. Sentencing is scheduled for July. Luckily, a passing motorist stopped to assist, and when Vega began screaming that she had been kidnapped, Levin ran from the scene. A digital version of the edition is available for subscribers. Levin, 21, of Early, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Marilyn Schmitt. (AP Photo/Carroll Daily Times Herald, Jared Strong) You can cancel at any time. I will enjoy thinking of you there, if I ever think of you, which I wont.. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. That is when she met Kirk Levin. But she eventually managed to tackle her fears and emerged stronger, contrary to the expectations of people around her. In this episode, Amber covers the survival story of Jessica Frank Vega. (AP Photo/Sac County Sheriff's Office), Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation criminalist Sabrina Seehafer shows the jury a shirt she tested for DNA and blood evidence during Kirk Levin's first-degree murder trial at Webster County District Court in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Investigators say that hours later he abducted and attempted to sexually assault a 21-year-old female acquaintance, who was eventually able to escape after a car accident. After the incident, she said she had had difficulty coping with the nightmares that came along in the first few weeks, and she often felt paranoid about letting Victoria go out of her sight. Levin declined to testify on his behalf after the defense called no witnesses, the newspaper reported. Levin is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, 45, last week in her rural Early, Iowa, home. Judge Daniel Moeser sentenced Levin to 15 months in prison and 24 months supervision, telling Levin you clearly, clearly need mental health help.. Jessica Levin is known for His Dark Materials (2019), Maniac (2018) and True Detective (2014). Background Check Jessica Frank Sponsored by Truthfinder Paid Service Search for criminal & traffic records, bankruptcies, assets, associates & more View full report Public Records Sponsored by PeopleFinders Paid Service He was later arrested and retained under a hefty bond. WAUCOMA A bookkeeper at a Waucoma-based livestock dealer has been sentenced to six months behind bars as part of a fraud investigation. Something doesnt, My aunt sharon was also telling him his little sister, He didn't want Slim at all but he did want, Sociopath, psychopath, whatever, steer clear of this person or prepare, What a rabid animal. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Just a few days before his arrest for murder and abduction, Levin had been released from prison on January 1, 2013, after his prison term for a burglary ended. apprehended by the police a short time later, treated by a therapist because he fantasized, Robert Burmingham, aka The Blue Light Rapist, forced Lori Brown and Cindy Williams to strip before shooting, Murder Allegations against Catherine Shelton. v. Guay et al. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I remember walking into her room and choking her, he wrote. Thanks to her fathers service in the military, Jessica moved 10 times before she left for college. He had served two years on a five-year burglary sentence that was reduced under state law. Levin left the Mount Pleasant prison Jan. 1 with his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, and returned to her farmhouse in Early, which is 100 miles northwest of Des Moines. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She tried to help you become a better person and lead a good life.. 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Your entire future will be spent looking through bars, the brothers wrote. You have permission to edit this article. You have permission to edit this article. Whether or not you share your childs fascination for reptiles, here are the best toys, books and games to excite any reptile lover. In this episode, Amber covers the survival story of Jessica Frank Vega. Floods are going to become more common, so its vital to learn how to prepare, no matter where you live. Please subscribe to keep reading. The Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office identified the remains to be those of Jonathan Esparza, missing since October. Vega stated that he had requested him to drive him back to his mothers house. A Webster County District Court jury last month found Levin, 21, guilty of. I also assist with teaching wind and string classes for three . According to a transcript of a hearing back in 2009, Levin had once admitted to the police that he carried duct tape in his bag as he had plans to rape a girl. Vega previously told jurors that Levin showed up at her apartment and convinced her to drive him back to Early. Levin claimed to have no recollection of committing the horrific crimes. Marilyn would still be with us if you could have been locked up permanently, she wrote in her letter. You can find her on the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on Saturdays, and the 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on Sundays. Menu. Levin will also have to register as a sex offender, since jurors ruled the kidnapping was sexually-motivated. Assistant Director, Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality. Levin jogged away from the scene, but he was later taken into custody. What did she ever do to you? Her body was found in her home, face down with a belt around her neck. That's when Levin allegedly went to her Storm Lake home and asked for help with his car, which he said ran out of gas. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping Jessica Vega, 21, of Storm Lake on Jan. 3, the same day Schmitt was killed. Finn told Levin that he agreed with the statements made by Schmitts family. Get Directions There are 200+ professionals named "Jessica Frank", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. She didnt strangle herself by accident. Levin is currently incarcerated in at the Iowa State Penitentiary, according to prison records. Police later found Schmitt's body lying face down in her home. Assistant Iowa Attorney General Doug Hammerand disagreed. He also told them that he couldnt remember how he had gotten to Storm Lake but mentioned using his mothers car. Rochester, New York, United States. On January 3, a few days after Levin had been released from prison for serving a sentence for third-degree burglary, he went on a crime committing spree, which he later admitted to not remembering. A Webster County jury on Thursday convicted 21-year-old Kirk Levin of first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Marilyn Schmitt. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Kirks mothers body was found when after Kirks arrest, the police went over to their farmhouse to ask Marilyn if she had any additional information about the ordeal. God did not put me on this earth to point fingers at someone. Finn briefly spoke directly to Vega, commending her on her strength. He also claimed to have had no recollection of committing those heinous crimes. These cookies do not store any personal information. (AP PHOTO), This photo provided by the Sac County (Iowa) Sheriff's Office shows Kirk Riley Levin. January 8, 2013 / 5:13 PM / CBS News. Please subscribe to keep reading. I'm a producer, videographer, and multimedia specialist with more than five years experience working in TV news, public affairs, social media, and mobile application development. A doctor who had counseled Levin had issued warnings that Levin was prone to acting on his sexual desires if he was ever taken off medications. Two days later, prosecutors say he repeatedly stabbed his mother. but the one thing in Iowa that is still relatively certain is that when you get sentenced to life, its going to be life. Native Village of Hooper Bay et al. - Managed the national Solar4Schools UK program ensuring the timely . (AP Photo/The Messenger, Hans Madsen), This photo provided by the Sac County (Iowa) Sheriff's Office shows Kirk Riley Levin. Police said she was choked and beaten to death. Everything you ever said or wrote to us was a lie. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But in a written statement, Levin said he is the only person who could have killed his mother. Three people, including a 6-year-old girl, were murdered inside their tent at Maquoketa State Park in July. Jessica had already survived an abusive childhood and was doing well raising her daughter, Victoria and attending college. Amber was drinking the Field Blend (Red) by Hook and Crook Cellars, and it was delish!Amber pulled her sources from: House of Horrors "Wired to Kill" Season 3, Episode 4, www.thecinemaholic.com/"Where is Jessica Vega Now"/Deepra Sarkar/Jan.19,2021, www.monsterandcritics.com/"Kirk Levin Murdered His Mom Marilyn Schmidt and Kidnapped Jessica Vega: Dead Silent Investigations"/Jerry Brown/Jan.18,2021, www.thecinemaholic.com/"Where is Kirk Levin Now/Deepra Sarkar/Jan.19,2021, www.wqad.com/"Police: Kidnapping Suspect Confessed to Killing His Mother"/Shellie Nelson/Jan.7,2013.