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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Bond reduced in Riverside murder case
Aug. 29, 2011 12:30 pm
A judge reduced a $2 million bond to $1.4 million cash only for a rural Riverside man accused of fatally shooting his longtime partner while she was mowing their lawn in May.
Thomas L. Hansen, 70, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sharon Gerot, 54. Gerot was shot as she mowed their lawn at 1355 Deer Run Drive. His trial is set for Jan. 24 in Washington County District Court.
If Hansen posts bond, he will be supervised by the Department of Corrections with special conditions, according to the judge's order.
Hansen remained in jail Monday. He had been a longtime Iowa City firefighter and former director of the Johnson County Emergency Management agency.
If convicted, Hansen faces a mandatory sentence life in prison without parole.
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A Washington County deputy kneels while finishing the scene investigation on Monday, May 2, 2011, following a homicide at 1355 Deer Run Drive in Riverside. Washington County authorities have arrested and charged Thomas Hansen with first-degree murder after he allegedly shot Sharon Gerot while she was riding the lawnmower in a field adjacent to the house they shared. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
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