Iowa City Police Make Murder Arrest

By Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Mike Wagner

Story Created: Feb 8, 2008 at 5:23 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2008 at 10:41 PM CST

IOWA CITY - Iowa City police arrested Curtis Fry, 21, of Wilton, late in on Friday afternoon.

What started as an unsuspicious death Thursday afternoon has turned into a full-fledged murder investigation and arrest by Friday.

Police in Iowa City say Jerome Patrick McEwen, 75, was found dead in his apartment just before 4pm Thursday.

Curtis fry reportedly called a friend early Thursday morning saying he hit a guy who was started making a gurgling noise. Fry allegedly told his friend he thought McEwen was dying.

Police say McEwen's front door showed signs of forced entry. McEwen lived in an apartment at 513 South Van Buren Street. According to reports McEwen had a fractured face and throat. Police say there was evidence all around the apartment pointing to Fry.

"On the scene the police officers recovered notable items, a pair of jeans that had blood on them, a jacket and a wallet that was associated with that clothing. It did not belong to McEwen, it belonged to Curtis Fry," said Sgt. Troy Kelsay, Iowa City police.

This is the first homicide in Iowa City since March 2004. Back then the body of a transient named John Stewart was found beneath the Gilbert Street Bridge.

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