Articles Tagged: Murder

Paul Hoff, convicted for distributing meth and firearms, testified Drew Blahnik repeatedly stabbed Chris Bagley in 2018. He saw the life drain from Bagley’s body.

Trish Mehaffey will have live coverage from the trial throughout the day

A Cedar Rapids man testified Drew Blahnik, on trial for first-degree murder, killed Chris Bagley for their drug dealer’s revenge. Blahnik is on trial for first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty and plans to claim self-defense or defense of another during the trial.

Trish Mehaffey will have live coverage from the trial throughout the day

Trish Mehaffey will have live coverage from the trial throughout the day.

A prosecutor rejected defense claims Thursday that the 2018 killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts could be connected to sex trafficking and other abductions that happened in the rural area where she disappeared while out for a run.

One of the Anamosa inmates charged with killing a correctional officer and nurse in March will claim self-defense in the slayings. A bench trial for Michael Dutcher remains set for Aug. 3.

On Dec. 19, 1979, 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was stabbed to death in the parking lot of Westdale Mall. For nearly 40 years, Cedar Rapids police searched for her killer. DNA evidence provided the breakthrough needed to close the case.

Drew Blahnik, 33, charged with first-degree murder, filed a petition to change his name to “Johnny Blahnik Church” but his lawyer, Leon Spies, stepped in and asked to delay hearing until after the murder trial.

Michael Dutcher’s trial remains set for Aug. 3 in Jones County

The reasons for this subpoena will be explained to a judge during a hearing on Wednesday due to the “confidential nature” of the investigation, Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter said in the motion.

Last week, Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter filed applications to subpoena witnesses who treated Jackson for his foot injury — Area Ambulance Service and Cedar Rapids Fire Department personnel. She also subpoenaed all of Jackson’s medical records from UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital and any names of staff involved in his treatment.

A judge ordered a $3 million cash bail for triple homicide suspect Alexander Jackson, who made his initial appearance Wednesday morning in Linn County District Court.

Judge offers option of open trial date Aug. 3 in Linn County.

The prosecution and defense agreed to move the trial to Linn County District Court.