Mason City man pleads not guilty to robbery charge

MASON CITY — A Mason City man accused of robbery has pleaded not guilty. 

A criminal complaint accuses 33-year-old John Murphy of assaulting a male at an apartment in the 200 block of 3rd Northwest on June 4th. Murphy allegedly told the victim to empty his pockets, take off his pants, and to remove his backpack and give it to him. While the victim was doing that, Murphy is accused of punching the victim in the face multiple times, causing swelling and cuts to the face. Murphy then kept the pants, cell phone, backpack and the contents of the backpack which included various items including clothes.

Murphy was arrested earlier this month on a warrant for first-degree robbery-attempting to inflict serious injury, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Murphy’s arraignment hearing was scheduled for Monday, but he filed a written plea of not guilty in Cerro Gordo County District Court on Thursday. No trial date has been scheduled.

Murphy is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 cash-only bond.