Kirkwood Community College students Katrina Hill, left, and Molly Edmondson, right, were found dead in Edmondson's apartment Sunday evening.

Former Kirkwood student faces two first degree murder charges

Kyle Anthony Marin turned self in; $1 millon bond set for each charge

By: Andrea Furlong, Dane Schumann and Christina Voss

Posted: 4/20/06

CEDAR RAPIDS - A 19-year-old North Liberty man is being held at the Linn County Jail on a $1 million cash bond for each charge after being charged with two counts of first degree murder.

Kyle Anthony Marin, a former Kirkwood Community College student, turned himself in to the Linn County Sheriff at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday after allegedly stabbing two 18-year-old female Kirkwood students.

According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Molly Edmondson and Katrina Hill were found at approximately 5:25 p.m. in Edmondson's residence at 6605 College Park Court SW, Apartment 2. Both were pronounced dead at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

Edmondson was an acquaintance of Marin, police said.

Marin, wearing a "suicide smock," appeared Monday morning before Judge David Grinde in Linn County District Court via video, where bond was set. At the hearing it was noted Marin is currently on probation for willful injury in Johnson County.

Marin said he could not afford to hire his own attorney. Tom Diehl, a lawyer from the public defenders office, was appointed to the case. Marin's next court date is May 4 at 8:30 a.m.

Marin did not ask any questions during his court appearance and only responded with one-word answers to the judge's questions.

Prior to withdrawing from classes this spring, Marin was enrolled at Kirkwood as an art major. He is a 2005 graduate of West Liberty Junior-Senior High School.

Edmondson graduated from Columbus Community High School in 2005. She was enrolled in Kirkwood's Dental Assistant Program. Hill, of Solon, was a Liberal Arts major.

Kirkwood is offering counseling services to students, faculty, staff and parents. Individuals seeking counseling can visit 115 Linn Hall or call 319/398-4934.

"This is unprecedented in a sad way," said Steve Carpenter, Kirkwood's Public Information Director, about the homicides, adding, "our thoughts remain with family, close friends, classmates and teachers [of the victims]."

Carpenter said while the apartments surrounding Kirkwood's campus are occupied by students, they should not be confused with college-owned dorms. By law, community colleges are not allowed to own student housing.

"Safety does, however, remain to be of paramount importance on our campus," Carpenter said.

These are the second and third murders in Cedar Rapids in 2006.