The Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office identified the remains to be those of Jonathan Esparza, missing since October. Kirk Levin KCCI. Thank God the jury found you guilty of first-degree murder so you wont have the chance to hurt somebody else.. Stephan was asking a judge to send Levin to prison in a car theft case, citing Levins increasingly dangerous behavior, which included burglarizing homes, stealing cars and engaging in fantasies involving kidnapping and rape. When his body was discovered days later in the family's septic tank, the mother was put on trial both by the court system, as well as. Levin had brutally murdered his mother just two days after hed been released from prison after serving two years for burglary. Within months, records show he was arrested for burglary after breaking into a mans home in Early through a bedroom window. Levin's trial began Tuesday, and included testimony from Vega and a law enforcement official who later found Schmitt's body. Levin only got out of prison on Tuesday after serving more than two years for burglary. Vega persuaded Levin to drive them back to Storm Lake. While impersonating a police officer, Burmingham would pull-over female motorists before kidnapping and sexually assaulting them. In a 2016 episode of IDs House of Horrors: Kidnapped titled Wired to Kill, Jessica has been featured talking about the exact events that went down the fateful day she was kidnapped. At Levins sentencing Friday, Teresa Schilmoeller, a survivor of homicide advocate from Sioux City, read three victim impact statements written by members of Schmitts family. Follow the links to read about more horrifying crimes examined on Dead Silent. A judge set bond at $1 million after Sac County Attorney Ben Smith noted that Levin had been in prison or on parole since age 17 and was facing disturbing allegations. Investigation Discoverys Dead Silent follows the trail of Kirk Levin after he was released from prison and went on to commit two more crimes in an episode titled The Sinner and the Saint. If you are curious to know Jessica Vegas side of the story, we have you covered. He added that he didnt remember abducting Vega. She experienced all weather phenomena imaginable, from Noreasters and freezing temperatures to Tropical Storms and triple digit heat. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. Schmitt had 88 sharp force injuries on her body, which were believed to have been caused by a kitchen knife. Levin had served 26 months of a 5-year prison term but that was enough to complete his sentence under an Iowa law that routinely cuts prison terms by more than half. (AP PHOTO), This photo provided by the Sac County (Iowa) Sheriff's Office shows Kirk Riley Levin. I think she still was scared, till her dad came and then I finally think she had some peace, and knew that she was safe, he said. The trial, which began Tuesday, wrapped up quickly, with closing arguments coming Thursday morning. Skip to Apply, Request Info, Jobs, Contact links, BA, Comparative History of Ideas & European Studies, University of Washington, 2003, JD, Seattle University School of Law, magna cum laude, 2008. Levin served his Wisconsin prison term and returned to live with his mother in Iowa in 2010. Its not reduced to a term and you wont be let go for another reason.. Pic credit: Sac County Sheriff's Office Dead Silent is in the rural town of Early, Iowa, to investigate the murder of Marilyn Smith, who was killed by her own son, Kirk Levin, a short time after he had been released from prison. I remember walking into her room and choking her, he wrote in the statement. Her body was found lying face down in her home. Obviously, if you have somebody who is a potential sex offender saying that they are planning on looking for somebody to tie up and rape, breaking into houses, that is an extremely serious public safety issue, Stephan told the judge. Marilyn would still be with us if you could have been locked up permanently, she wrote in her letter. Alleged kidnapping victim testifies in Iowa trial. Kirk Levin was sentenced to life for the murder of his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, and the kidnap of Jessica Vega. Investigators say that hours later he abducted and attempted to sexually assault a 21-year-old female acquaintance, who was eventually able to escape after a car accident. (JIM LLE / Sioux City Journal). Here, she came across another man named Kirk Levin, and the two became friends over online interactions. The written statement was presented in trial a day after Vega testified about her experience on Jan. 3. You have permission to edit this article. Levin was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, 45, in her rural Early, Iowa, home. >>, YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS/PRIVACY POLICY. In 2009, he was caught hiding in the basement of a girl he intended to rape. She didnt strangle herself by accident. . A troubled young man befriends Jessica Vega via social media, and the kind-hearted college student and single mom does her best to steer him towards a better path. Judge Daniel Moeser sentenced Levin to 15 months in prison and 24 months supervision, telling Levin you clearly, clearly need mental health help.. NEW HAMPTON A rural New Hampton man accused of a 2020 overdose death has been indicted on federal opioid charges. It was planned, and thats just reprehensible. Earlier that day, Levin had turned up at the home of Jessica Vega, in Storm Lake about 15 miles from Early, and asked her for help with his car, which he said had run out of gas. He also faces a third-degree kidnapping charge in connection to Vega. A doctor who had counseled Levin had issued warnings that Levin was prone to acting on his sexual desires if he was ever taken off medications. Levin had served two years on a five-year burglary sentence that was reduced under state law. In the tape, Levin admitted that he harbored fantasies of violent sex. When a neighbor stopped to offer help, the woman got away unharmed and Levin fled. Vega said she tried to think of ways to get away the whole time she was with Levin. When asked if he planned on having sex with Jessica then, he said, I had her, if I wanted to, I probably would have.. The trial included videotaped interviews of Levin denying he killed Schmitt. His main motive was robbery. Robert Burmingham, aka The Blue Light Rapist, terrorized women in Arkansas for two years in the 1990s. Her statements indicated that Vega wanted Levin to hurry because she was starting an internship that day and needed to be home by 7:30 a.m. After agreeing, Vega drove Levin back to his mothers house, where Levin told her he was kidnapping her. View the profiles of professionals named "Jessica Frank" on LinkedIn. Jury finds Iowa man guilty of killing mother. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. As a teenager, as per the prosecutors statements, Levin had been subjected to treatment owing to his fantasies about raping women. Jessica Franck. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She pretended to comply with all of Levins demands. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Vega said Levin asked her to drive to Early, a town 100 miles northwest from Des Moines, to find his car. In her letter, Sandra Schmitt told Levin she was so angry with you, Kirk., I dont feel like Ive ever known you at all, Schilmoeller read from Sandra Schmitts letter. As a teenager, Levin had been treated by a therapist because he fantasized about raping women, and hed been caught on several occasions appearing to act on his urges. He argued that a second change of venue request, which was overruled a week before Levins trial, should have been granted. Aug 2022 - Present3 months. Vega was then able to get out of the car when a local farmer approached them and helped her, thereby escaping the dangerous ordeal. Jessica could not be more excited to start her career in beautiful deep south Texas, where she is no stranger to the heat, humidity, and excitement of the tropics! In this episode, Amber covers the survival story of Jessica Frank Vega. Schramm testified that Levin said he didn't need help. EARLY, Iowa --- Kirk Levin has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his mother. Later, the states Supreme Court denied reviewing Levins case based on the fact that Kirks statement about wanting a lawyer had not been sufficiently strong to compel officers to stop their interrogation. Deputies found him hiding in a barn on the property. At this point, Levin escaped the scene. She added that she thinks about her sister every day. Feb 2010 - Jun 20105 months. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. That is when she met Kirk Levin. Should defendants charged with homicide be allowed to represent themselves pro se? Did you even give her the chance to fight back?. In my opinion, Marilyn died a hero, Heneman wrote in her letter. He has forgiven me and that is why I forgive you.. Kirk Levin confessed to kidnapping Jessica Vega in an interview with the investigators. apprehended by the police a short time later, treated by a therapist because he fantasized, Robert Burmingham, aka The Blue Light Rapist, forced Lori Brown and Cindy Williams to strip before shooting, Murder Allegations against Catherine Shelton. https://www2.heart.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app314a?idb=543169165&df_id=4365&FR_ID=6322&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=22612067&PROXY_TYPE=20&4365.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=8E872B6D94EE9DAEFAF7765E3F92717E&s_subsrc=bfIphFbPfMsg&s_src=boundlessfundraising, Here is a list of the victims that lost their lives that fateful day on the West Gate Bridge, Royvin Barbuto (Boilermaker) Ross Bigmore (Carpenter) Amadeo Boscolo (Carpenter) Bernard Butters (Boilermaker), Cyril Carmichael (Ironworker) Peter Crossley (Engineer) Peter Dawson (Rigger) Abraham Eden (Rigger) Anthony Falzon (Carpenter), Esequiel Fernandez (Ironworker) Bernard Fitzsimmonds (Ironworker) Victor Gerada (Ironworker) John Grist (Boilermaker), William Harburn (Boilermaker) Jack Hindshaw (Engineer) Trevor Hunsdale (Fitter) John Little (Rigger) Charles Lund (Rigger), Peter McGuire (Rigger) Ian Miller (Engineer) Jeremiah Murphy (Rigger) Dennis OBrien (Rigger) Joseph Ozelis (First Aid), Frank Piermarini (Rigger) George Pram (Rigger) Lesley Scarlett (Ironworker) Christopher Stewart (Boilermaker), Alfonso Suarez (Boilermaker) William Tracy (Engineer) George Tsihilidis (Boilermaker) Edgar Upsdell (Ironworker), Robert West (Boilermaker) Robert Whelan (Boilermaker) Patrick Woods (Rigger) Barry Wright (Boilermaker). 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