Father of defendant in Jackson County murder trial gives testimony

The father of a man accused of second-degree murder testified Wednesday that he feared for his life in the moments leading up to his son fatally shooting his alleged attacker. 37-year-old Brian Manning of rural Maquoketa, is charged in Iowa District Court of Jackson County with second-degree murder in the fatal 2022 shooting of 60-year-old Michael Berg. Prosecutors argue Manning “willfully and deliberately” shot and killed Berg the evening of Nov. 2, 2022, while the defense contends Manning only did so after failed attempts to stop an intoxicated Berg from attacking Manning’s father, Bruce Manning. Defense attorneys on Wednesday entered several photos into evidence that were taken at the scene that showed redness and swelling around Bruce Manning’s neck, chest and throat. Court will reconvenes today for testimony from additional witnesses and closing arguments.