Higgins 
arraigned 
on attempted 
murder

Thirteen days after Derek Joseph Higgins allegedly tried to stab the mother of his girlfriend to death, the 22-year-old man from Mingo was arraigned on Monday in Jasper County Court.

According to the complaint and affidavit, Jasper County Sheriff deputies responded at 9:37 p.m. March 30 to a reported stabbing in Ira, where they found Kathleen Clark “bleeding profusely” next to her daughter, Shawna Severini, inside of a truck by the residence. The truck’s passenger-side window was smashed out and both women were suffering from multiple injuries.

The complaint states a domestic argument about property between the two women and Higgins, who was standing outside of the vehicle, resulted in Higgins breaking a window and entering the truck. He then began hitting Severini in the face before attacking Clark.

Severini said Higgins punched Clark numerous times, resulting in “multiple stab and slash wounds to her face, neck, chest and torso areas.”

Deputies reported that Clark “was bleeding profusely and her breathing was labored. She had three puncture (stab) wounds to her chest and at least two, long, deep slashes to her face and neck.”

Severini did not see Higgins holding a knife “but saw the wounds on Clark after Higgins stopped ‘punching’ her,” the report states. The daughter suffered cuts to her face, a bloody nose and scrapes from broken glass during the assault.

Higgins fled the scene before officers arrived and eluded arrest for almost 12 hours before turning himself over to law enforcement in Des Moines the next morning.

He was was charged with four felonies — attempted murder, willful injury, two counts of armed with intent — and an aggravated misdemeanor for domestic abuse assault. He is currently being held in Jasper County Jail on $250,00 bond.

The attempted murder charge is a class ‘B’ felony, which carries a maximum prison term of 25 years. Willful injury is a class ‘C’ felony and carries a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine between $1,000 and $10,000. Both going armed with intent charges have a maximum prison term of five years and a fine between $750 and $7,500.

The aggravated misdemeanor charge carries a maximum prison term of two years and a mandatory fine between $500 and $5,000

Higgins’ financial affidavit states that he earns $8 an hour working part-time in “construction/mechanical” in Altoona. His dependents are listed as “[one] and [one] on the way.”

Higgins’ has not waived the right to a speedy trial and his pre-trial date set for May 17. His trial date is scheduled for June 9.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated the crime took place in Mingo. The official complaint states the crime occurred at 6766 Main St, (IRA) Mingo, IA 50168.