The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Cody stands trial for September bar stabbing

  • A jury trial is in progress for a former Marquette student who allegedly stabbed two others in a Water Street bar last September
  • Jessica Cody, the defendant, will give her testimony today
  • The trial started Monday afternoon with jury selection and is expected to reach a verdict either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning
  • Both the prosecution and the defense presented a total of 14 witnesses by the end of Wednesday's session

Jessica Cody, a former Marquette student who allegedly stabbed two others in a Water Street bar last September, will give her testimony today during the final stages of her jury trial.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's office filed formal charges against Cody last fall. She was charged with two counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety for allegedly stabbing Katlynn Dallmann, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, and a visiting 20-year-old female student from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dallmann was cut in the arm and near her left eye, and the second victim was stabbed near the neck. Evidence included photos of the victims' injuries and pictures of the crime scene.

The jury trial began Monday afternoon and is expected to end this afternoon or Friday morning. If convicted on both counts, Cody faces a maximum 35 years of imprisonment and $50,000 in fines, according to Wisconsin State Statutes.

The three females involved were underage at the time of the incident when a verbal altercation occurred at Sullivan's, 1225 N. Water St., which led to the stabbing.

Both the prosecution and the defense called officers and witnesses who were at the scene to the stand.

Assistant District Attorney James Griffin called six witnesses to present the state's case, including testimonies from both victims and a Sullivan's door manager.

At the conclusion of the state's presentation, Cody's defense attorney Michael John Hicks requested a motion to dismiss the case, citing inconsistent testimonies and arguing that the evidence was not strong enough for the jury to prove guilt. But Judge Dennis R. Cimpl, presiding the case, denied the motion at that time.

Hicks then presented his case yesterday afternoon. He brought eight witnesses to the stand, which included investigating detectives and three Marquette students.

Cody then waived her 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination at the end of yesterday's session, and Cimpl agreed to allow her to testify. After her testimony and the counsels' closing statements today, Cody's fate rests in the hands of 14 jurors.

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