CALHOUN COUNTY, Iowa (Court TV) — An Iowa man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the killing of a 17-year-old girl that left a community in shock.
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, 22, murdered Michele “Luna” Jackson by cutting her throat and stabbing her on September 22, 2024, in Farnhamville.
Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney appears in court July 8, 2025. (Court TV)
Jackson was reported missing that day. When her family went looking for her, they stumbled upon Bevers-McGivney, who was covered in blood and had her belongings, including her green scooter, said prosecutors. Investigators found Jackson’s body the next day and arrested Bevers-McGivney.
The defendant was charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. At trial, the defense conceded that he killed Jackson, but said his actions didn’t rise to first-degree premeditated murder, arguing for a lesser conviction of second-degree murder.
Bevers-McGivney waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial. Judge Derek Johnson ultimately agreed with prosecutors and convicted the defendant of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 2- 7/9/25
- Judge Derek Johnson convicted Bevers-McGivney of first-degree murder in the death of Michele Jackson and abuse of a corpse. Sentencing was scheduled for August 15.
- The prosecution’s closing argument highlighted the nature of the attack—brutal and unprovoked, evidenced by the lack of defensive wounds—indicates malice aforethought. The state contended that the defendant’s actions, such as arming himself with a knife and approaching the victim, suggested that he had considered the intent to kill prior to the act, fulfilling the requirements for first-degree murder.
- The defense argued that the evidence does not support the notion of premeditation, as required for a first-degree murder charge. They emphasized the chaotic nature of the events (such as the defendant’s actions following the incident, including the haphazard disposal of the body and the apparent lack of a coherent plan) indicates that the act was spontaneous rather than premeditated. The defense highlighted the lack of motive for the defendant to harm Jackson, suggesting that there was no prior relationship or reason for aggression. They pointed out that the prosecution has not established a clear motive, stating that the random and senseless nature of the act implies it was a sudden outburst rather than a planned attack.
- Medical examiner Dr. Jacob Smith testified Michele Jackson had numerous stab wounds, ruling her cause of death was multiple sharp force injuries and her manner of death was homicide.
DAY 1 – 7/8/25
- In their opening statement, prosecutors said Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney was covered in blood when he was confronted by deputies and family members of Michele Jackson, who were searching for her. The defense argued the murder was “spontaneous” and not premeditated, arguing between first and second-degree murder.
- Jackson’s mother, Annette Jackson, and sister, Shawna Bachman, testified about searching for the teen after she didn’t come home from the park as expected by the town’s 10pm curfew.
- They found the defendant pushing the bright green scooter Michele rode to the park, which belonged to Annette. After telling the defendant the scooter was hers, Annette pressed him on where he got it and where Michele was and where he was going.
- WATCH: Victim’s Sister Details Finding Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney With Scooter
- The defendant said he didn’t see a girl and he was going to return the scooter to the park where he found it, but that didn’t make sense to Annette because he was walking in the opposite direction of the park.
- After Shawna discovered Michele’s bloody shoe in the scooter basket, her boyfriend held him at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived
- Deputy Jason McKenney testified about responding to the scene and taking the defendant into custody after finding him covered in blood.
- Special Agent Evan Thompson, with the Iowa Dept. of Public Safety, testified to searching the defendant’s apartment, where he found a knife with blood and hair on it in the trash can.
- Photos taken in the apartment show blood on the side of the bathtub, a towel with apparent blood on it and apparent blood on the floor in the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
- Crime scene photos shown to the jury showed a path of blood, as well as earbuds and keys.
- Several residents who live near the park testified and shared video showing Jackson riding her scooter that had been recorded by their home surveillance systems.
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