(Linn County, IA) -- The Linn County Attorney’s Office is filing charges against 37-year-old Shane Teslik, in the stabbing death of Devonna Walker on Jan. 2, 2023, at 2135 North Towne Court NE in Cedar Rapids.
Teslik was arrested in another county today on a Linn County warrant for Voluntary Manslaughter and Disorderly Conduct.
Investigators say on the night of January 2nd, 2023, Police Department gathered some initial information from the scene of the alleged crime and did have access to the cell phone video. The CRPD consulted with Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and it was determined that more information was needed in order to make a decision on what, if any, criminal charges were warranted, particularly given the likelihood of a claim being made by the suspect of self-defense or defense of others. This included gathering witness statements and investigating the history between the parties, among other matters.
Initially, a referral was also made to the local FBI Office for consideration of a hate crime under federal law. The CRPD was informed by the FBI that the case facts did not warrant a hate crime under federal law at that time.
The Linn County Attorney's Office says unique facts and circumstances and legal considerations of this case warranted a collaborative review. On Feb. 23, 2023, the Linn County Attorney discussed the case with the Iowa Attorney General’s office and it was determined that their opinion was consistent with the opinion favored by the Linn County Attorney. After further consideration and coordination with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the charges in this case were authorized.