Live Coverage: Stanley Donahue trial

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jury selection wrapped up Thursday afternoon and opening statements will begin this morning in the trial for a Chicago man accused of firing 10 rounds at a Linn County sheriff’s deputy while fleeing a convenience store robbery in Coggon.

Stanley L. Donahue, 38, is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of first-degree robbery, 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 a criminal complaint, Donahue robbed the Casey’s General Store on Highway 13 in Coggon on June 20, 2021, forcing two clerks into a cooler and stealing cash, cigarette cartons and personal belongings.

Police said he fired 10 rounds at Linn County Sheriff’s Dep. William Halverson, 38, when he responded to the 10:19 p.m. alarm. Halverson, who had been a deputy for seven years at the time, was wearing a protective vest but suffered two gunshot wounds in the hip and leg.

Donahue took Halverson’s duty weapon 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 provide live coverage from the courtroom.

The trial is expected to last all next week.

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