Westgate
Westgate, IA · Municipal
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Judge won’t allow Marion man who killed his 5-year-old to have independent mental health evaluation
CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge ruled a Marion man who killed his 5-year-old son in October 2024 — and was committed to a mental health institution in May following a guilty verdict by reason of insanity — will not be allowed to seek an independent evaluation. Sixth Judicial District Judge David Cox said Matthew Gerald Schleier, 47, who was found guilty of first-degree murder of his son, Jack, by reason of insanity , in April and committed to the Cherokee Mental Health Institution in May, has no right to an independent evaluation according to the Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure regarding the committal process. Schleier’s lawyer, Leon Spies, argued in his motion , his client should be allowed to have an independent examination to protect his rights to due process and “address the evidence justifying his continuing hospitalization.” Spies also said Schleier has rights under the rules of the Iowa Department of Human Services, which justify the court granting Schleier’s request for an independent “violence risk assessment.” Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier resisted the motion, arguing Schleier had the right to get an independent evaluation after his initial review by the institution’s chief medical officer but he didn’t do
cbs2iowa.com
