Judge denies new trial for Chicago man convicted of shooting deputy during robbery

CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge denied a motion Wednesday for a new trial and other motions of a Chicago man convicted in February for shooting and badly injuring a Linn County sheriff’s deputy during a 2021 robbery at the Casey’s store in Coggon.

Stanley L. Donahue, 38, will be sentenced and faces up to 107 years in prison for shooting Deputy William Halverson 10 times in the torso and legs and robbing the store on June 20, 2021.

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A Linn County jury in February found Donahue guilty 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.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns heard brief arguments Wednesday morning from Donahue’s lawyer and Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and filed his ruling in the afternoon. Bruns mentioned during the morning hearing he had written some of the ruling based on the written arguments filed in April, but allowed both sides to make any additional arguments at the hearing.

Bruns, in his written ruling, said Donahue’s argument that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence was “devoid of merit.”

“Even if the court ignores the eyewitness testimony that Donahue was the person who robbed the Casey’s, who shot Deputy Halverson, and who was subsequently pursued by law enforcement, there was ample evidence to tie him to the crime,” Bruns wrote.

Bruns went through the evidence from the trial, which included Donahue matching the description of the suspect, and that the suspect came to the store and then fled in a van that matched Donahue’s. After the robbery and shooting, authorities chased a van that crashed and held personal items belonging to Donahue — along with items from the store and Halverson’ service weapon taken from his holster after he was shot.

Donahue’s fingerprint was on the magazine of the firearm used to shoot Halverson, Bruns said. This weapon also was found in Donahue’s crashed van.

The person in the van was chased by law enforcement to a location where Donahue was ultimately found, according to the ruling. Near the same location in Coggon, officers later found boots and hoodie that matched what the suspect was wearing during the robbery. Officers also found items taken in the robbery in a nearby field and ditch, which someone had attempted to conceal.

Bruns also denied Donahue’s other arguments concerning one of the robbery charges and the trafficking in stolen weapons charge. There was sufficient evidence to support both, according to the ruling.

Donahue will be sentenced Friday. Maybanks plans to use Donahue’s own words against him, arguing the 10 sentences should run consecutively for a total of 107 years.

Maybanks, in a previous motion, said it was his intent to present evidence of Donahue’s remarks to Halverson — “It should have been worse than it was” — and curse Halverson after Donahue was convicted and being led out of the courtroom.

In the motion, Maybanks 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, Maybanks said.

According to testimony, Halverson — who responded to the Casey’s robbery — said he didn’t see a clerk inside the store 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.

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

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

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