By Courtney Fiorini, Mason City Globe Gazette

 

NORTHWOOD — A Mason City man charged with attempted murder, burglary and a criminal mischief hate crime in a Northwood stabbing intends to rely on self-defense during his trial in August, court documents said.

On July 7, Trapp Leroy Trotter Jr.’s defense attorney, public defender Letitia Turner, filed a notice of defense indicating Trotter will rely on self-defense at trial.

Trotter, 31, is charged with felony attempted murder, first-degree burglary and misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal mischief – hate crime following an incident June 2 in Northwood.

He is accused of stabbing Andrew Nodtvedt, 25, of Manly, Iowa, multiple times, according to court documents. Nodtvedt told law enforcement Trotter started fighting with him “because he didn’t like that he was white” and, after stabbing him, chased him while yelling, “You’re going to die tonight, white boy,” court documents said.

Trotter is also accused of shattering the windshield of Nodtvedt’s car.

Iowa law defines a hate crime as an offense committed against a person or their property because of the person’s race or other protected characteristics,

Trotter submitted a written plea of not guilty July 2 and demanded a speedy trial, which has been scheduled for Aug. 1 in Worth County District Court.

The court reviewed Trotter’s bond July 2 on Turner’s request. At the time, Trotter was held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

Turner argued the bond should be eliminated and Trotter be released under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services.

Prosecutors resisted a reduction or modification to Trotter’s bond, citing the “seriousness of the charges.”

Judge Christopher Foy ruled the “present terms of bond are more onerous than necessary” to ensure Trotter appeared at court hearings and to protect the community.

Foy reduced Trotter’s bond to $12,500, allowing him to post a surety bond or 10 percent cash — $1,250. Trotter was still being held in the Worth County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.

Should he be released, Trotter will be supervised by the Department of Correctional Services. He would also be required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation within five business days of his release, follow through with any recommendations made for treatment or counseling, and obey the rules of a no-contact order.