Chicago man faces up to 107 years for robbery, shooting deputy in 2021

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Linn County jury Tuesday convicted a Chicago man of 10 charges — which could result in up to 107 years in prison — for robbing a Casey’s store in Coggon on June 20, 2021 and shooting a deputy seven times.

Stanley L. Donahue, 38, laughed when the 10 guilty verdicts were read. As he left the courtroom in handcuffs he looked at Linn County Sheriff’s Deputy William Halverson and said, “It should of been worse than it was,” and cursed at him.

After Donahue was taken out, Halverson just shook his head.

Donahue was convicted of attempted murder of a peace officer, two charges of first-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, attempt to elude, two charges of false imprisonment, trafficking in stolen weapons, disarming a peace officer and felon in possession of a firearm.

The jury deliberated for about three hours Monday and one hour Tuesday, following about seven days of testimony.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns said sentencing would be set at a later time.

Thoughts after the verdict

“What do they say … it’s like water off a duck’s butt,” Halverson told media waiting for him to respond to what Donahue said after the verdict.

Halverson said he hasn’t been sitting around thinking of Donahue while waiting for this trial.

“He’s just been a speed bump in my life,” Halverson added.

Halverson, with his wife, her mother and sister standing nearby, said he regarded Donahue’s remarks as just trying to get in the last word.

“The Linn County citizens got it right today,” Halverson said. “He’s going to do his time in prison and I’ll be living my life as a free man.”

He said he was never worried about the defense’s argument that there was another possible suspect or that Halverson’s identification of Donahue was not reliable because Halverson is white and Donahue is Black, as a defense expert testified during trial.

“Part of me wanted to jump up and scream … But I’ve worked the past, some 15 years in prisons and jails,” Halverson said. “I treat everyone the same because that’s the way we should do. I understand that’s the defense’s job.

“That was the guy I looked at square in the eyes,” he said.

Halverson said his heart goes out to the younger former employees, Jacob Christianson, now 22, and Maddie Stepanek, 19, who were forced into the store cooler during the robbery and have to live with that trauma.

“They showed a lot of courage,” Halverson said.

Halverson was asked if being shot seven times in his hip and leg, going through the painful recovery period of over a year and undergoing surgery to insert a rod in his leg and screws in his left knee, changed his thoughts about his job.

“Yes. It definitely told me this was the right job for me,” Halverson said.

Halverson, during the trial, said his injuries included a broken left thigh bone, vertebrae and both hips, and damage to his lungs and torso.

He also had “contact“ injuries — bruising and abrasions — from bullets penetrating the protective vest he was wearing at the time.

During the interview Tuesday, Halverson became emotional when he talked about being glad it was him that night and not a mom coming into Casey’s and encountering Donahue firing 10 shots at close range.

“If it was someone else, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said. “I love this job and wouldn’t do anything else. I’ll do it until the day I die, whether that’s tomorrow or 60 years from now.”

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks, who had been standing with Halverson’s family, said this one was a “huge relief” for him.

“The jury did the right thing,” Maybanks said. “Of course you always worry, but this was a rock solid case.”

Maybanks said he couldn’t say enough about “the courage of Deputy Halverson, Jacob Christianson and Maddie Stepanek for what they endured that night and how they stayed strong throughout the trial. It makes our job easier to stand up for victims like them.”

Maybanks also thanked the Linn County Sheriff’s Office for the “impeccable job investigating this case, and it’s always an honor to work with them.”

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, in a statement, thanked Halverson for his “positive attitude and determination which allowed him to recover from these devastating and traumatic injuries and return to work. Deputy Halverson’s return to full duty exemplifies the honor it truly is to be a public servant and protect the residents of Linn County.”

Gardner also thanked the jurors for their time and effort reaching guilty verdicts, and the Linn County Attorney’s Office for their “tireless work in the pursuit of justice.”

Manhunt followed robbery, shooting

According to testimony, Donahue entered the Casey’s in Coggon that night and when he went to pay Christianson at the front counter, pointed a gun and said “give me the money.” Christianson pulled out the top dollar bills stacked in the register with a clip and receipt attached, which triggered a silent alarm.

Donahue, during the robbery, also took numerous cigarette cartons, gift cards, car chargers and other items from the store. He also took Christianson’s wallet and Stepanek’s purse.

Christianson and Stepanek were forced into the cooler and a few minutes later they heard gunshots, both testified.

Halverson said he didn’t see a clerk inside and only saw a man — later identified as Donahue — standing at the front counter with a garbage bag over his shoulder. He tried to grab Donahue’s arm but he pulled away and starting shooting at Halverson.

“It felt like a hundred times,” Halverson said, tearing up as he recalled his thoughts that night. “This isn’t a dream. This is real life.”

Halverson testified that he thought he was going to die. Donahue fired 10 shots at him. When he was down on the floor, he felt “tugging” on his right side where his .40 caliber Glock was holstered and felt it being removed.

He told Donahue, “Please don’t kill me,” as he looked into Donahue’s eyes. He thought the suspect left the store after that.

The evidence included surveillance video from the store which showed Donahue, wearing a hoodie, committing the robbery and shooting.

Donahue fled the store before other deputies arrived, but one deputy pursued his van and after Donahue crashed on a bridge in Coggon, deputies found more stolen items, Halverson’s Glock and Donahue’s gun used in the shooting in the van.

The van was registered to Donahue and contained his personal items including mail and tax returns.

Donahue was arrested 14 hours after the robbery when a TV news crew spotted him walking along Aldridge Road in Coggon.

Peter Stiefel, Donahue’s lawyer, argued there was reasonable doubt that Donahue was the suspect. An expert witness testified about the reliability of eyewitnesses.

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