OSKALOOSA —
The prosecution and defense gave their opening statements Wednesday morning in day two of the murder trial of Brad Arterburn in Mahaska County District Court.
Arterburn, 27, of Oskaloosa, has been charged with the first-degree murder of his mother’s boyfriend, Robert Henry “Hank” Horovitz, 58, of Davenport on June 19, 2011. Arterburn entered a plea of not guilty in Mahaska County Court July 12, 2011.
Prosecutor Denise Timmins outlined the events of that day.
Timmins said that Arterburn lived with his mother, Linda Arterburn. He lived in the basement and had several knives and swords.
Linda Arterburn had met “Hank” Horovitz three weeks earlier and were dating. Brad did not like Hank because he reminded Brad of his step dad, David Myers, who had sexually abused him as a child.
On June 19, Hank and Linda had decided to get married and Hank told Brad the news.
Brad went to his room around 8:30 p.m. and grabbed a medieval-style battleax and stabbed Hank in the back while he was sitting in front of a computer and dragged him to the floor. Brad then took a buck knife out of his pocket and cut Hank’s throat and then stabbed himself in the chest. Linda called 911 and two police officers soon arrived. A police officer used his taser on Brad and took him into custody.
Both Hank and Brad were taken to the hospital where Hank died. Brad was airlifted to Des Moines for treatment.
Lead defense attorney Ken Duker also recounted the events of that day but also added Arterburn’s history of child sex abuse. He said that Horovitz reminded Arterburn of his abusive stepfather in that there were similar in height and weight. Duker said Arterburn told his mother and sister about his misgivings several times.
Arterburn had intense flashbacks to his sexual abuse when he saw Horovitz. When Arterburn attacked Horovitz, he saw Myers’ face.
“He sees Dave’s face,” Duker said. “He can’t differentiate between Hank and Dave.”
Duker said that Arterburn pleads not guilty by reason of insanity.
The prosecution called its first witness — E911 dispatcher Brandi Brown to the stand and submitted an audio recording and transcript of Linda Arterburn’s 911 call on June 19, 2011, before the lunch break.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
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Brad Arterburn and defense attorney Allen Cook, left, listen to opening statements Wednesday morning in Arterburn's trial in Mahaska County District Court. Herald photo by Duane Nollen
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Opening statements made in Arterburn murder trial
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