In the quiet early morning hours of May 8, 2014, the life of 30-year-old Caucasian male Justin Clay Michael was brought to a violent and tragic end in his Grimes, Iowa, home. An intruder, dressed in black, entered the bedroom where Michael lay sleeping beside his fiancée, Angie Ver Huel, and fatally shot him multiple times. Ver Huel, who was unharmed, immediately called 911. Michael's mother was also in the house at the time and reported that the intruder had entered her room and shone a red laser on her face before leaving and shooting her son. The brazen attack in what should have been the safety of their home sent shockwaves through the community.
The investigation into the homicide soon focused on David Moffitt, a 26-year-old from Pleasant Hill who was an ex-boyfriend of Ver Huel and a coworker of Michael at Wells Fargo. A crucial break in the case came when Moffitt was involved in a single-vehicle accident just miles from the crime scene approximately 30 minutes after the murder. At the crash site, police discovered incriminating evidence, including ammunition that matched the shell casings found at Michael's home, shooting earmuffs, and a receipt for a firearm purchased under the name of another of Ver Huel's ex-boyfriends.
Moffitt was promptly arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Investigators and prosecutors painted a picture of a jealous ex-boyfriend who had meticulously planned the attack. They revealed that Moffitt had used a fake ID to purchase the weapon and had become obsessed after Ver Huel ended their brief relationship and became engaged to Michael. The evidence suggested that Moffitt's motive was a jealous rage, leading him to commit the cold-blooded killing.
In June 2015, David Moffitt's trial began. His defense team argued that he was not in control of his actions due to mental illness and the side effects of medication. However, the prosecution presented a strong case highlighting the extensive planning and deliberate actions taken by Moffitt. The jury ultimately found him guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary. David Moffitt was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Justin Michael, a man remembered by friends and family as a warm-hearted and compassionate person who loved the outdoors and was eagerly planning his wedding.
