Ottawa do-over, manslaughter case set to go in front of judge Feb. 20

An Iowa man awaiting a do-over trial for a 2017 rural Ottawa death has decided to let a judge settle his manslaughter charge at a bench trial to begin Feb. 20.

Mason Shannon, 48, of Newton, Iowa, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for placing Michael Castelli of Ottawa into a lethal chokehold during a struggle outside the Bonnie Plants growing facility. Shannon succeeded in getting the conviction thrown out over a procedural problem and awaits a new trial.

During a Thursday video conference, Shannon told visiting Judge William Dickenson that he wants to proceed with a bench trial rather than let a jury of 12 hear his do-over case.

Dickenson set the bench trial for Feb. 20 in La Salle County Circuit Court. Another pre-trial video conference will be Oct. 18.

Shannon has spent the past few years saying he should not have to stand trial a second time. Dickenson rejected his arguments at a May hearing.

If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Shannon could face up to five years in prison.