Prosecutor will use Chicago man’s comments to deputy to recommend more prison time

CEDAR RAPIDS — A prosecutor will ask a judge to run consecutive sentences — 107 years in total — for a Chicago man who told a deputy he shot during a robbery that his injuries “should have been worse.”

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks filed a motion Thursday on his intent to present evidence at the sentencing of Stanley L. Donahue that Donahue told Linn County Sheriff’s Deputy Will Halverson, “It should have been worse than it was,” and cursed him as he was taken out in handcuffs after a jury convicted him of 10 charges Tuesday.

Donahue, 38, 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.

Donahue robbed a Casey’s store in Coggon June 20, 2021 and fired 10 shots at Halverson, striking him in the torso and leg seven times, when he responded to the alarm.

Maybanks, in his motion, said Donahue’s remarks were captured on a video feed posted on The Gazette’s website, which was obtained by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Donahue’s comments also were heard by “many onlookers in the audience, including Lt. Dave Beuter,” of the sheriff’s office.

The statement is an aggravating factor for the court to consider for sentencing in this case and will be used by the prosecution, along with other factors, to make an argument for stacked sentences, Maybanks said.

Sentencing for Donahue is set for May 5.

According to testimony, Donahue entered the convenience store that night and when he went to pay a store employee, Jacob 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 a purse from another employee, Maddie Stepanek.

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 to detain him 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. 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.

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. 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.

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

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