Appeals court overturns first-degree murder conviction of Duval Walker Jr., who fatally shot Cameron Barnes on March 17, 2023 in a Marion bar. The court granted a new trial to Walker based on a juror having “actual bias” because he had knowledge of Walker’s previous conviction, which a judge had excluded from evidence at trial to avoid any prejudiced against Walker.
Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks will not review and make a charging decision on the fatal shooting of a Marion teen by a police officer. Maybanks has referred the case to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office because he has a conflict of interest.
The teen who was fatally shot by a Marion police officer Wednesday after he threatened two officers with a machete was identified late Thursday by department officials.
An 18-year-old man is dead after being shot by a Marion police officer Wednesday morning. A press release issued by the Marion Police Department states the man was shot after threatening two officers with a machete.
Christopher Maxwell is in custody at the Linn County Jail, pending extradition back to Illinois.
The Iowa chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union released a report Wednesday outlining the ways that automatic license plate reader cameras, or ALPRs, are being used across Iowa, and urging state legislators to implement regulations regarding their use.
The heartbroken father of Melody Hoffman, who was murdered in February 2024, told her killer, 19-year-old Dakota Van Patten, that he doesn’t deserve to be called human. He is a “monster,” who will be forgotten.
Dakota Van Patten, 19, of Cedar Rapids, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping and strangling of 20 year-old Melody Hoffman of Marion, on Feb. 18, 2024. The jury deliberated for about three hours.
Dakota Van Patten repeatedly told police he had no knowledge and wasn’t involved in Melody Hoffman’s assault and strangulation in February 2024. He wouldn’t be able to “live with himself” if he killed someone, he told investigators.
A state medical examiner testified Tuesday 20-year-old Melody Hoffman was strangled from behind by her attacker and likely died within minutes on Feb. 18, 2024.
Dakota Van Patten took 200 selfies of himself wearing Melody Hoffman’s glasses after she was killed Feb. 18, 2024. An investigator found the photos on his cellphone during the investigation.
Marion police investigators testified Friday about how traffic cameras and cellphone data helped them piece together what happened to Melody Hoffman, who was kidnapped and killed in February 2024.
Jeremy Sprague was sworn into office Thursday, becoming Marion’s new police chief
Longtime law enforcement officer and peer support advocate Jeremy Sprague is set to join the department on Aug. 21.
Marion residents were able to meet Wednesday evening with four candidates who the city has identified as candidates to fill the position of police chief, vacated by Chief Mike Kitsmiller when he retired in the spring. The candidate who is ultimately selected will lead the department of 48 sworn officers, 10 dispatchers and six civilian employees.
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