Cedar Rapids, Iowa – A Cedar Rapids man has been found guilty of first degree murder in connection to a 17-year-old cold case. Curtis Padgett, 42, was convicted by a Linn County judge for the killing of Dennis First at the Hawthorne Hills Apartments on C Street SW in Cedar Rapids in May 2007. The case had remained unsolved until Padgett was charged in March 2023.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Padgett’s actions showed premeditation through the multiple knife wounds and blunt force trauma that led to First’s death. On the other hand, the defense contended that the use of a knife and the aggressive manner of the killing did not necessarily indicate malice or premeditation, suggesting that the act could have been impulsive.
Padgett chose to have a bench trial, allowing the judge to determine the verdict. In Iowa, murder convictions carry a mandatory life sentence. The sentencing for Padgett is scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 19.
The outcome of this trial brings closure to a case that had lingered for over a decade, shedding light on the importance of pursuing justice no matter the passage of time. The victim’s family, as well as the Cedar Rapids community, can now find solace knowing that accountability has been served in this long-awaited resolution.
As the legal process continues to unfold, the impact of this verdict resonates beyond the courtroom, emphasizing the significance of thorough investigations and diligent prosecution in bringing closure to families and communities affected by heinous crimes. The upcoming sentencing will mark the next chapter in this tragic story, providing a sense of justice for the victim and his loved ones.