Madogo

Marshalltown man Kalalize Jean Baptiste Madogo was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison on Thursday afternoon after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in late September.

Madogo was originally arrested and charged with first degree murder about three weeks after the Jan. 2 stabbing death of 30-year-old Yannick Mangubu, which took place in a private residence on North First Avenue. According to the police report, Madogo “had a fight” with Mangubu, armed himself with a knife and stabbed the victim, resulting in his death.

Madogo ultimately took a plea deal that reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter, a Class C forcible felony. The State of Iowa, represented by Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney recommended a 10-year prison sentence with credit for time served, imposing a five-year minimum sentence prior to eligibility for parole.

In addition to prison time, a $1,370 fine with a 15 percent surcharge was recommended along with $150,000 in restitution to be paid to Mangubu’s family. Submission of a DNA specimen for profiling purposes was also recommended, and Gaffney requested that Madogo be assessed for pecuniary damages as well as all court costs and court appointed attorney fees.

The sentencing hearing was held at the Max Building on Thursday afternoon, and Madogo was represented by Public Defenders Aaron Siebrecht and Ted Fisher. After the opening formalities and a brief statement from Gaffney regarding the plea agreement and the effect of the crime on the victim’s family, the court had the opportunity to hear impact statements from two of Mangubu’s family members.

The first victim impact statement was from Erna Paar, the victim’s mother, and it was read by a victim advocate. Parr shared with the court how the death of her son impacted her and her family, and she believed the suggested 10-year sentence was not enough of a punishment.

“When Madogo killed my son, it felt like he killed my whole family,” the advocate read. “I have not slept well since I lost my son. Before, I was very patient with people. Now, I’m short tempered.”

Parr’s impact statement said the event had completely changed her outlook on life and the people around her. Where she used to see good in everyone, now, she said she only sees the bad. She shared her sorrow around the event and she said that the only sentence for taking someone else’s life should be life in prison.

Following the impact statement from Parr being read to the court, Christelle Mangubu, the victim’s sister, shared her own.

“My brother was my best friend, a great brother to my siblings and a great uncle to my two children,” Christelle Mangubu said. “Jan. 2, 2022 was the worst day of my life, the day I lost my brother.”

Christelle expressed her confusion about the incident and didn’t understand why it transpired, saying that Yannick was not a “problematic” person and that the killing never should have happened. She expressed the pain she and her family had felt since his passing, and like Parr, she felt 10 years in prison was not a long enough sentence.

“Yannick is dead, and I can’t express my heartbreak for this loss,” Christelle said.

After she finished reading her statement, she asked if she could say something else that she hadn’t written, and Judge Bethany Currie allowed her to do so. Christelle turned to Madogo and said that she wanted him to look her in the face.

When Josephine Mwirotsi-Shaw, the Swahili interpreter for Madogo, translated this, Christelle continued and asked him why he had killed her brother. Madogo did not respond. Christelle spoke again before concluding her statement.

“God will pay for what you did. Even if they give you 10 years, even if you get out tomorrow, God will judge you,” Christelle said.

Following the impact statements, Judge Currie said the court found Madogo guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Prior to the sentencing, Currie said she had considered all the sentencing options, as well as many other factors including the best route to rehabilitation and community protection.

Madogo was sentenced to an indeterminate term not to exceed 10 years, which is the maximum possible sentence for voluntary manslaughter, with credit for time served. He will have to serve a minimum of five years before becoming eligible for parole. He will also have to pay $150,000 of restitution to the victim’s family and submit a DNA sample for profiling purposes.

Currie suspended the $1,370 fine and 15 percent surcharge, and said any money paid should be to the family and not to the state. Currie also found that Madogo would not be able to pay any amount towards court costs due to his incarceration and again reasoned that any payment should go to the family and not to the state. Additional pecuniary damages to go towards restitution can be assessed by the state if they are filed within 30 days of sentencing.

Currie then turned to address the family of Yannick Mangubu, who sat in the courtroom. She said she accepted Madogo’s guilty plea for manslaughter because the “facts and evidence do not support murder.” The difference between the two crimes largely lies in premeditation. Manslaughter is often called a “crime of passion” because it’s an act that happens suddenly, while first degree murder involves the willful, deliberate and premeditated intent to kill.

“To the family and friends of Mr. Mangubu, nothing can bring your loved one back,” Currie said. “Please understand the sentence I am imposing today reflects legal culpability and not the value of your loss.”

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Contact Susanna Meyer

at 641-753-6611 or

smeyer@timesrepublican.com