Allamakee County jury finds Brandon Kasemeier guilty of first degree murder in the January 2024 death of his estranged wife
Guilty verdict returned in murder trial ... An Allamakee County jury took less than an hour to return a guilty verdict in the first-degree murder trial of Brandon Kasemeier (pictured at left), age 41, of Waukon, who was charged in the January 21, 2024 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, in the home they once shared in Waukon. The trial took a week from its jury selection that began Tuesday, May 20 through its Tuesday afternoon, May 27 verdict, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7. File photo by Sharon Drahn.
Jami Kasemeier ... Submitted photo.
Sharon Drahn
Contributing Writer
In a week’s time from initial jury selection to the final verdict being returned - with an extended holiday weekend in between, the first-degree murder trial of 41-year-old Brandon Kasemeier of Waukon came to an end last week. The ending to that trial took a 12-person jury of Allamakee County men and women less than an hour to decide, as they returned a verdict of guilty Tuesday afternoon, May 27 in Allamakee County District Court at Waukon.
PROSECUTION RESTS ITS CASE PRIOR TO HOLIDAY BREAK
Following two-and-a-half days of testimony that began Wednesday afternoon, May 21 (details of which are published in the May 28 edition of The Standard), the State of Iowa rested its case in the murder trial accusing Brandon Kasemeier of killing his estranged wife, Jami, in January of 2024 in the home they once shared on 1st Avenue SW in Waukon. Prosecuting attorney Frank Severino, Jr., a State of Iowa Assistant Attorney General, called over a dozen witnesses to the stand as he interviewed family members, friends, local police, and law enforcement officers from Colorado, ultimately finalizing, “He (Kasemeier) ran to Colorado, but he cannot run from the truth.”
Also among the witnesses for the prosecution were members of the State of Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), including experts in crime lab testing. The autopsy testimony from Dr. Kelly Kruse was also an integral part of Severino’s presentation as was the testimony of Holly Witt, who has been a special agent with the DCI for 30 years. Following the testimony of DCI Agent Matthew Schalk, who drove to Colorado and transported Brandon Kasemeier back to Iowa following his arrest, the State rested its case Friday afternoon, May 23 and court was adjourned for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, June 4, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
