Area transient charged with assault after attack with bottle of alcohol

Hunter
02/21/24

An Iowa City area transient was taken into custody over the weekend after allegedly committing assault using an empty alcohol bottle.

Police were called to a residence on the 1900 block of Broadway Avenue just after 7pm Sunday after 37-year-old Mancel Murphy was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with the victim.  During the incident, Murphy allegedly struck the victim in the side of the head with the empty bottle, causing bleeding to their ear.

Officers reportedly observed Murphy with signs of intoxication, including bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of ingested alcohol.  He refused a PBT.

Murphy could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail if convicted on Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Public Intoxication charges. Judge Brandon Shrock issued a no-contact order between the parties on Monday.