Teen pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

CEDAR RAPIDS - An 18-year-old initially charged with vehicular homicide last November pleaded guilty Wednesday in Linn County District Court to involuntary manslaughter and will likely serve probation time according to a plea agreement.

Ramius Hardiman, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide last November after he was involved in a crash Nov. 8, 2010 that killed Jose Mendoza, 17, of Cedar Rapids.

Hardiman today made an Alford plea to amended and substituted trial information charging him with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

An Alford plea is when a defendant doesn't admit guilt but agrees evidence presented at a trial would be sufficient for a guilty verdict.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott said the state will recommend probation at the time of sentencing but the length of probation time will be left up to the court.

Hardiman will also be ordered to pay the mandatory minimium victim restitution of $150,000 to Mendoza's estate.

Scott said he discussed the plea agreement with Mendoza's family, who didn't attend the hearing.

Victoria Cole said after the hearing there was "serious evidentiary problems" in the case. At least one of the witnesses made inconsistent statements and the evidence indicated someone else may have been driving the car that night, she said.

Scott said there was problem with witnesses but said he couldn't elaborate until after the sentencing.

According to the original criminal complaint, Hardiman's alcohol concentration level was .06 when his blood specimen was taken at the hospital 2-1/2 hours after the crash. There were bottles of alcohol found in the car and at the crash scene, according to the complaint.

According to a police report, Mendoza was wearing his seat belt in the back seat of the car and Hardiman was driving as he lost control. The car rolled and hit a utility pole in the 3300 block of Cottage Grove Avenue SE. Mendoza was flown to an Iowa City hospital where he died.

Hardiman will be released later Wednesday under supervision pending his sentencing, which hasn't been set at this time.