An Iowa City man on trial for murder intends to argue that he allegedly killed his child’s mother in self-defense.
The inicident first gained traction following a “suspicious” death in January. A day later, Iowa City Police identified 33-year-old Victoria Skarda as the deceased, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua Perry, 35, was initially arrested and charged with domestic abuse assault and child endangerment a day after the death was reported. In March, Perry’s assault charge was dropped and he was charged with first-degree murder.
He has since pleaded not guilty.
Iowa man accused of murder will argue ‘self-defense’
Perry’s attorneys filed court documents indicating that he will argue at least three defenses at his trial in January 2026.
In one filing, Perry’s attorneys write that he will contend that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the death occured.
Perry’s defense team will also argue that he was justified because he was defending himself, property or others. Perry’s lawyers also intend to argue he had “diminished responsibility,” which means they believe he had a “diminished” mental state.
Death first charged as domestic assault was upgraded to murder
Perry allegedly called 9-1-1 to report that “a girl was passed out and cold in his residence” along Camden Road in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, according to a criminal complaint.
Before her death, Skarda allegedly sent messages to a family member “indicating that she had been assaulted,” and witnesses in the area “reported hearing a physical fight inside the apartment.”
An official autopsy later revealed her death was a homicide caused by a cardiorespiratory arrest, when an individual stops breathing and their heart stops pumping. The cardiorespiratory arrest was allegedly “in the setting of a recent physical assault,” according to court documents.
The couple’s minor child was in the apartment at the time of the incident, according to police, and “it is reasonable to believe the assault would have caused harm to the child.”
Court documents also note that the Iowa City Police Department had been called to the same address in the past for domestic altercations.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City man accused of murdering his child’s mom expected to claim self-defense at trial
Reporting by Ryan Hansen, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
