Live coverage of Stanley Donahue trial: Day 2

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The trial continues Monday for a Chicago man accused of robbing the Casey’s store in Coggon and firing 10 shots at a Linn County Sheriff’s deputy who was responding to the robbery June 20, 2021.

Deputy William Halverson will continue his testimony. Halverson became emotional Friday, testifying he thought Donahue was going to kill him after Donahue struck him seven times in the hip and leg. He was wearing a protective vest at the time.

Stanley Donahue, 38, who is accused of 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.

According to testimony last Friday, Donahue, during the robbery, forced two clerks into a cooler and stealing $239 in cash, 89 packs of cigarettes, numerous car charges, gift cards and personal belongings of the clerks.

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 Highway 13 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 last all week.

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