Live coverage of Stanley Donahue trial: Day 4

CEDAR RAPIDS — A trial continues Wednesday for a Chicago man accused of robbing the Casey’s store in Coggon and shooting a Linn County Sheriff’s deputy seven times who responded to the alarm June 20, 2021.

Stanley Donahue, 38, is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of false imprisonment, willful injury, attempt to elude, disarming a peace officer, trafficking in stolen weapons and possession of a firearm as a felon.

According to the opening statement, the defense plans to show there is reasonable doubt that Donahue is the suspect from the robbery.

The prosecution continues its case Wednesday and the defense may start Thursday.

According to testimony, Donahue, during the robbery, forced two clerks into a cooler and stealing about $300 in cash, 89 packs of cigarettes, numerous car charges, gift cards and personal belongings of the employees.

After shooting Halverson, Donahue took the deputy’s service Glock and fled in a minivan, but was captured after an overnight 14-hour search that involved drones and police dogs. The search ended when a TV news crew spotted him walking along Aldridge Road, near Coggon and notified authorities.

If Donahue is convicted of all 10 charges, he faces up to 112 years in prison with a mandatory 65 years to serve before being eligible for parole.

Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey will continue providing live coverage from the courtroom this week.

The trial is expected to wrap up Friday.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com