Des Moines architect's killer sent to prison for manslaughter

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

2 3 minutes read

Judge Celene Gogerty said it was “not a difficult decision” to send the man responsible for Kirk Blunck's death to prison.

Zachary Gaskill, 34, was convicted earlier this year of involuntary manslaughter for the 2016 death of the Des Moines architect. On Friday, he was sentenced to the maximum two years in prison after Gogerty found he had shown a “lack of remorse” and that previous probation conditions had not changed his behavior.

Blunck's family, many of whom spoke at sentencing Friday, described him as a pillar of the community and a loving husband and father who never had the chance to meet his five grandchildren. children.

How did Kirk Blunck die?

Blunck, a major developer involved in several historic Des Moines building restoration projects, died Jan. 24, 2016, after he was found injured at the bottom of a staircase in the Teachout building, which he owned. Gaskill, now 34, was charged with second-degree murder in 2022 after prosecutors accused him of assaulting Blunck and pushing him over a railing to cause him to fall from at least two floors during an altercation.

At his trial in April, Gaskill's lawyers argued that Blunck may have been drunk and instigated a fight, and that there was no evidence that Gaskill had intended to cause the death of Blunck. Prosecutors presented evidence that Gaskill told inconsistent stories about what happened to investigators and several former girlfriends, including why he was on the upper floor of the building.

The jury found Gaskill not guilty of murder, but convicted him of the lesser offense. Gaskill was also sued by Blunck's family and ordered to pay $6.25 million for Blunck's death.

Defense asks for probation and pleads for improvement

Defense attorney Wendy Samuelson asked the court to suspend Gaskill's sentence and consider running it concurrently with other sentences he faces, including for perjury in the civil case of the Blunck family.

Gaskill addressed the court to describe the changes he made in his life, including stopping drinking after Blunck's death and working to improve his mental health. He spoke about his love of working with dogs at the Animal Rescue League and with clients as a personal trainer, as well as improving his bond with his family. He told Gogerty he wanted Blunck's family to move on.

“I do everything I can to stay on the straight and narrow,” he said.

Prosecutor calls Gaskill a danger to the community

But prosecutor Monty Platz told Gogerty that Blunck's family hadn't heard the one thing they had hoped for from Gaskill: an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and an apology. He asked the court to impose the maximum sentence given Gaskill's long criminal record.

“Every time probation is given, he goes back to committing crimes, and he was on probation when he killed someone,” Platz said. “…Every day that this individual is not on the street is a day that he cannot take someone or hurt anyone.”

Judge orders consecutive sentences

Gogerty told Gaskill she agreed with prosecutors and listed numerous programs and treatment options Gaskill had received in the past.

“When I look at your history, sir, you have had the most opportunities for rehabilitation in the community,” she said. “They’ve done you almost every favor I can think of to get you on a different path.”

More:Man accused of killing Iowa Fareway employee sentenced to life in prison

And while Gaskill maintained he had turned a corner, Gogerty said she saw the case differently, noting multiple criminal charges and parole violations since Blunck's death. The latest, a failed doping test, took place on May 28, just a week before his sentencing. And she highlighted Gaskill's actions throughout the case, including celebrating in court the moment he was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder.

She ordered that Gaskill be sent to prison for up to two years, consecutive to two other criminal sentences for a total of 12 years.

Family describes impact of Blunck's death

Gogerty's order came after hearing from Blunck's family, who asked for the maximum sentence possible.

Doreen Blunck, Kirk Blunck's widow, described the emotional and financial damage she and her family suffered following his death, and how her late husband missed milestones such as weddings, graduations and the birth of grandchildren.

Lina Portman

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