It didn’t take long for a Marshall County jury to return a verdict today (Tuesday) in a murder trial. The jury of 8 men and four women found 39-year-old Pedro Perez guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, 41-year-old Laurie Ann Reyes of Marshalltown. She was found dead in her apartment on May 16 of last year.
The state Medical Examiner’s office concluded she died from being strangled with an electrical cord. The jury’s verdict came just about two hours after attorneys presented their closing arguments. Marshall County Attorney Jennifer Miller was pleased with the verdict, and commented on the jury’s attentiveness during the trial. No word on whether attorneys for Perez will appeal. Judge William Patteson is expected to set a sentencing date in August.