Five charged in "assault for hire" case

Five Iowans from the western part of the state are charged in what authorities say is an “assault for hire” case. Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson says 57-year Jim Edwards, of Audubon, allegedly offered to pay one-thousand dollars to two men and one woman from Audubon, and a male from Manning, if they would beat-up Curt Behrens, of rural Gray. Behrens and Edwards were involved in an automobile accident last May, for which authorities charged Edwards with Operating While Intoxicated. The four individuals named in the complaint allegedly went to Behrens’ home early Sunday morning, assaulted him, then drove him to Edwards’ home where the beatings continued. Behrens suffered severe head injuries and may have permanent eye damage. The individuals named in the assault face multiple charges and are being held on nearly 223-thousand dollars bond. Edwards faces similar charges in addition to solicitation to commit a felony and tampering with a witness. His bond was set at almost 312-thousand dollars.