Defense attorney challenges witnesses in manslaughter trial

The prosecution in an Ottawa-area manslaughter case rested Wednesday afternoon, with the defense to call its witnesses Thursday.

Mason Shannon, 43, is charged with causing Michael Castelli's death last year by putting Castelli in a chokehold, while trying to subdue Castelli, who was hallucinating and behaving violently from having consumed hallucinatory mushrooms. Prosecutors said Shannon maintained the hold too long, killing Castelli.

Shannon's attorney, Douglas DeBoer, said Castelli was not choked to death, but rather died from an enlarged heart, aggravated by the hallucinogen and the exertion of the struggle with Shannon and other men who held him down.

Trial began Tuesday. Shannon opted to have Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. decide the case, rather than a jury.

Shannon, of Mason City, Iowa, worked and temporarily lived at Bonnie Plants, a commercial grower just northeast of Ottawa. Shannon was acquainted with the 32-year-old Castelli and invited him to the facility July 20, 2017. Castelli eventually went out of control, according to trial testimony. Shannon, as well as fellow Bonnie Plants workers James Clouse and Joseph J. Brewer, physically restrained Castelli. At one point zip ties were put on Castelli's wrists, but he broke them.

Brewer, 22, Ottawa, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, but made a deal with prosecutors to testify against Shannon in exchange for dismissal of the charge. Brewer testified Wednesday about the fight with Castelli, saying toward the end of the struggle, he pulled away and told Shannon to ease up, because Castelli was no longer vigorously resisting.

Prosecutors did not call Clouse to the stand. He was not charged.

Another Bonnie Plants worker present the night in question was Jordan A. Wilkinson, 21, Marseilles, who witnessed the struggle with Castelli, but did not take part. Wilkinson was not charged in connection with Castelli's death, but was charged four months later with battering a baby in Marseilles.

On cross-examination Wednesday, DeBoer suggested Wilkinson tailored his testimony against Shannon, to cut a bargain with prosecutors on the battery charge.

"Is this just a story that got you the deal of the century?" DeBoer asked of Wilkinson, which Wilkinson denied.

DeBoer pointed out the state's attorney's office has agreed to recommend a five-year prison term for Wilkinson, which DeBoer said was lenient compared to what Wilkinson would otherwise receive. Wilkinson's case remains pending with his not guilty plea remaining in place. Wilkinson is free on bond.