Trial of man accused of killing his mother with crowbar will be reset

A judge said Monday she will reset the trial for a Cedar Rapids man accused of killing his mother with a crowbar to allow the defense more time to consult psychological and medical experts.

Edward Cusic, 45, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother Anita Cusic-Labkon, 68, who was beaten to death Dec. 7, 2012. She had blunt force injuries to her face and arms, according to court documents.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover-Grinde said the defense's initial psychological evaluation of Cusic called for further testing and the defense wanted more time to consult a traumatic brain expert.

The defense plans to claim Cusic wasn't competent at the time of the homicide or had diminished capacity as a result of a previous traumatic brain injury, according to court documents.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott said he didn't resist the continuance.

No new trial is set at this time.

According to court documents, Cusic called 911 that night and told a police dispatcher that he killed his mother with a crowbar because she had threatened him with a knife. Cusic, who lived with his mother, told police his mother was bipolar and suicidal.

Cusic then later told police his mother threatened him with a dagger and he used the crowbar to kill her, according to a criminal complaint.

Police found Cusic-Labkon's body face up on a bed in the back bedroom, with a crowbar between her legs, according to an affidavit for search warrant. Investigators also located a handgun on top of a dresser in the bedroom and a dagger under pillows in the bedroom.

Cusic in a jailhouse interview with The Gazette said he was acting in self-defense that night and only intended to injure his mother. He said his mother pointed a gun at him and said "I'll send you straight to hell."

Cusic also claimed in the interview that his mother carried a .380 handgun in her pocket and had another gun in her bedroom and several daggers in the house.

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