Attempted murder suspect has long history

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Charles Julian Jason Zwer

July 23, 2012

Attempted murder suspect has long history

MATT MILNER CNHI The Ottumwa Courier Mon Jul 23, 2012, 01:43 PM CDT

OTTUMWA — The man accused by authorities of trying to kill three people in Ottumwa on Sunday is no stranger to law enforcement.

Charles Julian Jason Zwer, 26, was charged with attempted murder after police responded to a report of a disturbance Sunday evening at 219 N. Marion St., Zwer's address.

Officers found three people who had been struck with a hatchet. One refused treatment. The second victim is being treated at Ottumwa Regional Health Center with what officials call moderate injuries. The third victim was taken to University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City in critical condition.

Zwer is being held in the Wapello County Jail and authorities say more charges are pending.

Law enforcement in southeast Iowa are familiar with Zwer. In June 2011, Zwer received a suspended sentence after reaching a plea bargain in a case where he walked out of an Ottumwa restaurant without paying, then pulling a weapon on an employee when he was confronted.

In September 2011, Zwer reached a plea bargain and suspended sentence in a Mahaska County burglary case.

Prior cases have also included charges of trespassing, probation violation, criminal mischief and assault with intent to inflict serious injury.

Charles Julian Jason Zwer charges timeline

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