Northeast Iowa Man Seeks Change of Venue for Trial on Attempted Murders of Peace Officers
A northeast Iowa man, who plans to use an insanity defense, has requested a change of venue for his trial on attempted murder of peace officers.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said the Howard County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Mark Zweibohmer on May 28th to conduct a welfare check at his residence near Elma. At the home, Zweibohmer allegedly began shooting at responding officers, who returned fire.
The incident also involved Cresco Police, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol. There were no injuries reported.
Zweibohmer is charged with four counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, including Howard County Sheriff Rick Busch, deputies Ben Hillyer and Jake Hofstra, and trooper Wyatt Ronnebaum. Zweibohmer has pleaded not guilty to the Class B felonies and his trial is currently scheduled for February 4, 2026, in Howard County District Court.
Last Wednesday (10.15) his attorney, Judith O’Donohoe of Charles City, filed for a continuance citing that Zweibohmer’s defense of insanity and/or diminished responsibility is reliant on a mental health expert who examined Zweiobohmer in July, but who had not yet provided them with a report.
The defense also filed for a change of venue because of pretrial publicity in Howard County. They also claim that the display of law enforcement force at Zweibohmer’s residence was just to portray him as “a very dangerous person” and that Zweibohmer believes it was also a “show for the public.”
On Monday (10.20), the prosecution filed resistance to the change of venue, arguing that the request needed to come within 45 days of the defendant’s arraignment, which was July 14th, 93 days prior to the defense’s filing on October 15th. No hearing was scheduled on either issue as of noon Tuesday (10.21)
Zweibohmer, who turns 46 next month, is being held in the Winneshiek County Jail on $200,000 cash bond.
He is also slated for trial on February 4th in Howard County for his September 2024 arrest for third degree burglary, interference with official acts causing bodily injury, eluding, OWI, operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, and five counts of first-degree harassment.
Zweobohmer is also pursuing an insanity defense in that trial.
