Judge sentences Cedar Rapids man to prison, then performs his marriage

CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge this week agreed to an unusual request: She married a Cedar Rapids man to his girlfriend after she sentenced him to 18 years in prison for shooting and injuring another man last year.

Montel R. Reed, 34, asked to be taken from the jail by sheriff’s deputies to the Linn County Courthouse to marry his “longtime girlfriend” — a different woman than the shooting victim’s ex-girlfriend, who Reed was living with at the time of the incident, which occurred May 3, 2021, a criminal complaint shows.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover initially denied his request last week because jail deputies said they already had too many inmate transports for court that day. But she did consent to perform the marriage after Reed was sentenced Tuesday. Prosecutors said his friends or family attended.

Hoover said Friday it was a “first” for her.

Reed, originally charged with attempted murder, previously pleaded to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, willful injury causing bodily injury, reckless use of a firearm causing property damage and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

According to a criminal complaint, Reed, while in a vehicle, fired multiple shots at Terrell Taylor, who was walking May 3, 2021 near the intersection of Blairs Ferry Road NE and North Pine Drive NE. Reed continued to drive after Taylor, firing shots at him in the parking lot of Unity Center Church at 3791 Blairs Ferry Road NE.

Taylor was shot once in the arm and injured. Another two shots were fired into the church but nobody else was harmed.

A 9 mm shell casing was recovered by police at the intersection and another five casings were found inside Reed’s vehicle he was driving at the time, according to the complaint. Reed’s girlfriend at the time owned two 9 mm guns, police said.

Taylor arrived 10 minutes after the shooting at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital with injuries, according to a police report. After Taylor received medical treatment, he was taken into custody by police on an arrest warrant out of Iowa City for second-degree robbery, police said. In January, Taylor grabbed a purse and a phone from a woman, who was injured in the incident, according to a criminal complaint.

Taylor did identify Reed by name and a photo lineup as the man who shot him, the complaint stated. Reed was living with Taylor’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his children at the time of the incident.

Hoover ran the sentences for 18 years in prison, in accordance with the plea agreement. Reed must serve a mandatory five years for use of a dangerous weapon in committing a forcible felony before being eligible for parole.

Deputies returned Reed to the Linn County Jail following the sentencing and marriage ceremony. Reed had been out on bail but was arrested in November on a separate charge of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury. His bail was revoked pending trial on the new charge.

According to a criminal complaint, Reed hit a 4-year-old boy in the face, which knocked the child into a cupboard; he fell to the floor and his nose started bleeding. The incident was witnessed by others, the complaint stated.

If convicted of child endangerment, Reed faces five years in prison. His trial is set for Feb. 7.

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