Testimony starts Thursday for Chicago man charged with shooting deputy, robbery

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jury selection continues Thursday 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.

Jurors filled out questionnaires Tuesday and jury selection started that afternoon with potential jurors who had any knowledge of the case being questioned in small panels to avoid tainting others in the pool.

No jury was selected on Wednesday, and questioning will continue Thursday morning. Testimony will likely begin Thursday afternoon.

Gazette reporter Trish Mehaffey will provide live coverage from the courtroom once testimony starts.

The trial is expected to go into next week.

Donahue is accused of robbing the Casey’s General Store on Highway 13 in Coggon on June 22, 2021, forcing two clerks into a cooler and stealing cash, cigarette cartons and personal belongings, according to a criminal complaint.

He is also accused of firing 10 rounds at Dep. William Halverson when the deputy 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.

Halverson received a Purple Heart Award in October from the Iowa State Police Association for being seriously wounded in the line of duty.

After recovering from his injuries Halverson returned to full duty.

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.

Donahue has remained in jail since arrest under a $2.5 million bail.

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