Isom, 21, is charged with the first-degree murder of Isaiah Forest, 27, on March 17, 2023. He pleaded not guilty on March 29.

The trial got off to a quick start on Tuesday after attorneys managed to select the jury the same day. Opening statements by the defense and the prosecution were given before leaving for the day.

The prosecuting attorneys — Marshall County Attorney Jordan Gaffney and Assistant Attorney General Monty Platz — called nine witnesses as the day progressed. The witnesses ranged from private citizens to government officials. One witness, Ellissa VanCannon, broke into tears as she spoke about calling 911. VanCannon was asked if she was an expert in gunshot wounds.

“No . . . but I have seen somebody shot before. It’s not the first time,” she said.

Defendant Amarrion Isom stands while the jury exits the courtroom on Wednesday. Isom is charged with the March 2023 first-degree murder of Isaiah Forest.

Defense attorney Ted Fisher noted that VanCannon is serving time in the Marshall County Jail and asked if she was getting something in return for her testimony. VanCannon, who is in jail for driving with a denied, revoked or suspended license, said she was testifying to get justice for Forest.

Witness Dale Jones was called after VanCannon, and relayed his actions during the day. Jones drove to Forest’s residence on Boone Street, where the murder occurred, more than once. While he was familiar with Forest, he said did not know Isom. Jones said when he saw Forest’s body, he told VanCannon to call 911. He testified he left the scene before the police got there.

Video and audio recordings from March 17 and March 18 played a big role in testimonies. Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) Lieutenant Sadie Weekley told the court she believes the footage, including from nearby property security cameras of private citizens, are accurate in showing the events. Video of the vehicle Isom traveled in was captured from separate cameras and provide a reliable timeline in which he would have been able to travel from one location to another without stopping.

One of the private security cameras showed two individuals, one allegedly Isom, going into the Boone Street apartment where Forest was. Between gusts of wind in the audio of the video, a gunshot is heard, and then the two individuals walk out. Weekley pointed out captured images in which she said it shows Isom might have been carrying a shotgun, which was the alleged weapon.

Fisher asked Weekly if, based off of the videos, she could positively identify Isom. She told him “Yes.”

Dale Jones testifies during the Amarrion Isom trial on Wednesday. Jones said he went to the Boone Street site of the murder more than once on the day it happened.

Also called to testify was Dr. Jonathan Thompson, who performed the autopsy on Forest and Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Agent Evan Thompson. An investigation conducted by the MPD and DCI revealed Forest’s death arose from a dispute over a debt with Isom. MPD Captain Kiel Stevenson, who interviewed Isom after his arrest, was the last person to testify on Wednesday. The interview was played in clips for the jury.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

Ellissa VanCannon cries during her testimony for the Amarrion Isom first-degree murder trial. Isom is charged with the death of Isaiah Forest.