×

Trial information filed against murder defendant

UnityPoint records subpoenad

Justin Hurdel

Trial information was filed Friday in the first-degree murder case against Justin Hurdel, the man accused of shooting his estranged wife on Aug. 5, putting the case one step closer to arraignment.

Hurdel is accused of shooting his wife, Maggie Flint (known through marriage as Maggie Hurdel), outside a garage in the 500 block of South 19th Street. Police arrested Hurdel after a 17-hour manhunt in which he was tracked down by scent with a Webster County Sheriff’s Office K9.

A new court order filed Friday also granted a subpoena of UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, who holds her medical records for visits over the last two years. First Assistant Webster County Attorney Ryan Baldridge said in his request that the records are relevant to their homicide investigation.

Court documents also show that Hurdel had a documented history of threatening the victim, according to allegations recorded in criminal complaints.

In November, he was charged with third-degree harassment after a verbal altercation when he told the victim, “I will kill you if you try to leave.” The charge was adjudicated as disorderly conduct and disposed with a $147.75 fine.

Twice in July, he was arrested for domestic assault involving Flint. The first time, criminal complaints say he threw his wife to the ground by her neck.

On July 20, he was charged with domestic abuse assault and ordered not to contact his wife. A warrant for his arrest in violation of that order was issued about three hours before the shooting on Aug. 5. Criminal complaints said Hurdel attempted to contact his wife multiple times through text messages and calls.

Justin Hurdel was also charged with stalking in violation of a protective order in February 2012, which was dismissed through a negotiated agreement.

Criminal complaints filed after the Aug. 6 arrest revealed that two male witnesses confirmed a sequence of events the afternoon of the shooting with the confrontation between Hurdel, 43, and Flint, 38. One said that Hurdel was waiting inside the garage with a shotgun when Flint entered with him.

Hurdel’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today