Trial begins for man accused of throwing Des Moines architect over a railing to his death in 2016 – KCCI Des Moines

The trial of a man charged with killing a Des Moines architect is now underway in Polk County. In 2016, Kirk Blunck was found badly hurt at the bottom of a staircase in an East Village building. He died shortly after from his injuries.Blunck's family successfully sued Des Moines man Zachary Gaskill for wrongful death, winning $6.125 million in 2018.Despite the civil lawsuit, Gaskill was not criminally charged until December 2022. Police say he was responsible for the injuries that killed Blunck.Gaskill allegedly claimed to police that he was searching for a bathroom in a building at 500 E. Locust St. when he and Blunck fell over a railing together. Gaskill said he caught himself, but Blunck continued to fall. Police believe that Gaskill attacked Blunck, eventually throwing him over the railing, and tried hiding his identity to get away with it. Gaskill faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge. Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI

The trial of a man charged with killing a Des Moines architect is now underway in Polk County.

In 2016, Kirk Blunck was found badly hurt at the bottom of a staircase in an East Village building. He died shortly after from his injuries.

Blunck's family successfully sued Des Moines man Zachary Gaskill for wrongful death, winning $6.125 million in 2018.

Despite the civil lawsuit, Gaskill was not criminally charged until December 2022. Police say he was responsible for the injuries that killed Blunck.

Gaskill allegedly claimed to police that he was searching for a bathroom in a building at 500 E. Locust St. when he and Blunck fell over a railing together. Gaskill said he caught himself, but Blunck continued to fall. Police believe that Gaskill attacked Blunck, eventually throwing him over the railing, and tried hiding his identity to get away with it.

Gaskill faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge.

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Trial begins for man accused of throwing Des Moines architect over a railing to his death in 2016 - KCCI Des Moines