Mason City man enters Alford plea on willful injury charge

MASON CITY — A Mason City man charged with willful injury causing serious injury after a stabbing incident last year has entered an Alford plea in the case.

45-year-old Elgin Richmond was accused of being in an argument with another person on July 7th of last year in the 1300 block of North Federal, with the dispute turning into a physical altercation involving weapons. Richmond was accused of rushing at the victim with a knife while the victim was defending himself with a crowbar. Police said the victim was stabbed in the neck and the middle portion of his back.

Richmond’s trial was scheduled to start on Tuesday, but court records show he entered an Alford Plea to the lesser charge of willful injury, a Class D felony. With an Alford plea, a person does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction.

Richmond is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18th in Cerro Gordo County District Court.