North Iowa Man Convicted of Rape, Kidnapping Builds Case for New Trial

A north Iowa man convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault continues to build his case for a new trial..

In May, 44-year-old Bjorn Luster of Cresco was accused of sexually assaulting the victim, restraining her with duct tape and zip ties, and threatening to kill her while putting a muzzleloader gun to her head.  In October, a Howard County jury convicted him of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree sexual abuse. 

His sentencing was scheduled for earlier this month, but Judge Richard Stochl reset any possible sentencing for January 11th, at which time he is also slated to consider Luster’s motion for an arrest of judgment and a new trial. 

The judge also noted that Luster still needs to be tried on charges for possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of an incendiary device, which also stem from the alleged incidents in May. A trial on those charges is also January 11th.

On Wednesday (12.27), his defense counsel filed seven affidavits from people who vouched for Luster’s character and/or his accounts of what did or didn’t happen as well as speaking against the alleged victim.