Man Stabs Roommate, Gets Arrested

A Maquoketa man has pleaded guilty to a charge related to an altercation in which police said he and his roommate stabbed each other. 65 year old David Anderson pleaded guilty in Iowa District Court of Jackson County to a charge of willful injury causing bodily injury. Plea documents state that both prosecutors and the defense will argue for “any legal recommendation” for sentencing at Anderson’s sentencing hearing, which is set for April 7. Anderson kicked in a bathroom door on December 3, 2021, and confronted his roommate, 20 year old James Meisland. Meisland pushed past Anderson to get to his bedroom, but Anderson kept advancing towards him. Anderson grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchen and stabbed Meisland, causing an injury that ultimately required doctors to remove Meisland’s spleen. Police said Anderson later admitted to stabbing Meisland first.