Articles Tagged: Murder

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.

No details are available in court records of the competency evaluation. But 6th Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros, in his order, said the evaluation concluded Roberts is competent – meaning he understands the charges against him and is able to assist his lawyers in his defense. The proceedings are reinstated and trial is reset to July 13.

Revette Sauser, 52, of Ryan, was sentenced this week in Delaware County District Court after a Clayton County jury found her guilty last month of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting death of 59-year-old Terry Sauser in their home in Ryan.

Michelle Kehoe of Coralville slashed her sons’ throats in 2008, killing one and wounding the other. In her debut book, a Solon writer tries to answer the question of why.