A northwest Iowa man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to murdering his mother in Sheldon earlier this year. 42-year-old Nathaniel Kassel of Rock Rapids was charged with 1st Degree Murder in the death of his mother, Jody Duskin. Kassel had earlier pleaded not guilty and was set to go on trial on October 17th. Kassel later changed his plea and was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without parole.
Duskin was found dead in her home in Sheldon in March. According to court documents, Kassel corresponded with family members saying he was planning to kill Duskin. Kassel was taken into custody in South Dakota the day after Duskin’s body was found.
Kassel had also originally been charged with Operating a Vehicle Without The Owner’s Consent and Possession or Control of a Firearm as a Felon. Those charges were dismissed.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
