Former Iowa City man pleads not guilty to killing adopted son

Former Iowa City man pleads not guilty to killing adopted son

The Gazette

IOWA CITY — Brian Dykstra, who is accused of killing his 21-month-old adopted son, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges according to online records.

Dykstra, 32, formerly of Iowa City and now of Central, S.C., was scheduled to be arraigned today in Johnson County Court on charges in the 2005 death of his adopted son, Issac. He has submitted a written plea of not guilty, according to records filed yesterday in the Johnson County District Court. His next court appearance should be set today.

Officers were sent to Dykstra's residence on Aug. 13, 2005, at 918 Ginter Ave. after receiving an abandoned 911 call. A dispatcher called back and spoke with Dykstra, who said Isaac was possibly having a "little seizure" and had difficulty breathing.

Emergency crews found Isaac unconscious on the living room floor, with labored breathing and apparent head injuries with visible bruising. Isaac was taken by ambulance to University Hospitals.

Isaac was pronounced brain-dead on Aug. 14, 2005.

An investigation ended last month, and Dykstra surrendered to police on Aug. 9. He paid the $15,000 bail and left the Johnson County Jail that day.

Dykstra is being defended by Iowa City attorney Leon Spies.