GUILTY VERDICT IN MURDER

Guilty verdict in murder

One of two people charged in the slaying of a Des Moines man has been convicted of murder.

Jasper County court records say 25-year-old Jaycie Sheeder, of Coon Rapids, also was found guilty Tuesday of robbery and being an accessory after the fact to murder. Prosecutors say Sheeder helped 50-year-old Jeffrey Stendrup, of Clive, find and assault 36-year-old Jeremy McDowell. McDowell was found dead June 22 in Newton in the back of a vehicle Sheeder had been driving. Authorities say Sheeder kept silent about Stendrup’s involvement in the attack and never tried to stop it.

Sheeder’s sentencing is set for July 1.

Authorities think Stendrup suspected McDowell of stealing items from him and beat McDowell with a baseball bat in an effort to get the items back.

Stendrup has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other crimes. He’s scheduled to begin trial Oct. 23.

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