Assault case against Coralville man won’t be revived

IOWA CITY - The case against a Coralville man accused of assaulting a woman in a portable toilet in 2013 can't proceed, a judge ruled this week after being asked to reconsider.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Marsha Bergan had dismissed the case in July, saying Ronald Williams' right to a speedy trial within a year had been violated. Williams didn't sign a waiver giving up his right and, the judge found, there was no good reason for the case to extend nearly over six months beyond the one year cutoff.

In a ruling Monday on a motion from the Johnson County attorney's Office to reconsider, Bergan said she went through the entire record of several delays and continuances of his case and searched for a waiver of the speedy trial right by the defendant or his defense attorney, Davis Foster. There was no waiver, she determined.

Bergan said the 'system failed.”

Foster disputed assertions he made verbal assurances a waiver had been signed, she wrote.

Bergan said she also considered what Williams told her. He was upset about the delays in getting his case to trial, and didn't waive his right to a speedy trial.

'The court had the discretion to issue the ruling made on July 24 dismissing the case,” Bergan ruled.

Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness didn't respond to an email Tuesday.

Assistant Johnson County attorney Anne Lahey argued in her reconsideration motion that a verbal waiver by the defense and numerous continuances, as well as several court documents that seem to indicate a waiver had been made, constitute good cause for reviving the case.

Williams had been charged with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, and indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor, for a Sept. 7, 2013 incident.

According to a criminal complaint, Williams was accused of following a woman into a portable toilet near Kinnick Stadium. Police said Williams locked the door behind him, exposed himself and tried to assault her. The woman had to fight to get away, police said.