Mason City man’s willful injury trial declared mistrial due to death in lawyer’s family

MASON CITY — A Mason City man’s trial on a willful injury causing serious injury charge after a stabbing incident on the city’s north side was declared a mistrial late last week.

45-year-old Elgin Richmond was arrested after Mason City police say he allegedly stabbed another man on July 7th of last year. Court documents state that Richmond and the victim got into an argument in the 1300 block of North Federal on that date, with the dispute turning into a physical altercation involving weapons. Richmond is accused of rushing at the victim with a knife while the victim was defending himself with a crowbar. Police say the victim was stabbed in the neck and the middle portion of his back.

Richmond’s trial started last Tuesday, but court records show that on Wednesday, Richmond’s attorney moved for a mistrial due to a death in the defendant’s attorney’s family. After resistance by the state, the motion was granted by District Judge Rustin Davenport.

Richmond’s trial has been rescheduled to start on October 1st in Cerro Gordo County District Court.