Man from Marion charged with quadruple murder, fit to stand trial

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The man accused of a quadruple murder in Linn County in June has been declared competent to stand trial.

A psychiatrist said Monday that 34-year-old Luke Truesdell of Marion was found to be sane after an interview conducted on Aug. 13.

Truesdell is accused of beating four people to death with a metal pipe in an outbuilding on East Otter Road in northern Linn County.

When officers arrived, they found three of the victims already dead: Romondus Cooper, 44, of Cedar Rapids, Keonna Ryan, 26, of Cedar Rapids, and Amanda Parker, 33, of Vinton.

A fourth victim, identified as Brent Brown of Marion, was flown to the hospital where he later died.

According to investigators, Truesdell admitted to hitting the four people with a metal pipe.

Truesdell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

During Monday's hearing, Truesdell said nothing but appeared emotional.

His trial is scheduled for April 8.

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