Linderman first-degree murder sentencing delayed to March 11

The sentencing of a Charles City man convicted of first-degree murder in 2018 in Jasper County has been delayed again by one month.

Randy Linderman, 52, is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. March 11, according to court documents. Originally, the sentencing date was set for early January, but his defense attorney requested more time to submit the necessary documentation, which the judge approved. As a result, it was moved back to Feb. 11, and now has been moved back to March for the same reason.

Linderman was found guilty in November of the murder of Jose Ramirez Berber, a Newton resident, who was killed in March 2017.

District Court Judge Richard Clogg presided over the trial, while Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson and Assistant Jasper County Attorney Kelly Bennett interviewed witnesses for the prosecution. Attorneys Jill Eimermann and Trevor Andersen defended Linderman in the week-long trial in Jasper County Court.

Linderman has resided in Jasper County since 2016. He is a registered sex offender, convicted of third-degree sexual abuse in 2001 in Floyd County. He was arrested after law enforcement officials connected him to Berber’s death. Linderman pleaded not guilty in the case.

Officials received a 911 call March 6 from Berber’s nephew to 4252 Maple St. in rural Newton to respond to an unresponsive person. When law enforcement and Newton Fire and EMS officials arrived, they found the victim’s body on the floor. Berber was found dead inside of his rural Newton home.

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com