116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Braggs found guilty of burglary, sexual abuse
Sep. 30, 2009 7:00 pm
As the verdicts were read for first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse Wednesday, the mother of the victim started crying.
Some of the jurors had tears in their eyes as they were individually polled and defendant Bruce Braggs appeared to tear up as his unusual record for acquittals and dismissals ended and he now faces up to 50 years in prison.
Braggs, 33, of Cedar Rapids, broke into an apartment and raped a 19-year-old former Kirkwood Community College student June 3, 2007. Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. Nov. 20, in Linn County District Court.
“He's off the streets now and no other daughter will be raped,” the mother of the victim said after court. “The Cedar Rapids police are passionate about keeping people safe. I want to thank them and the jurors.”
After the jurors were dismissed the mother hugged Linn County Attorney Harold Denton and Cedar Rapids Police Officer Charity Hansel, the lead investigator of the case.
Some of the jurors looked upset as they left the courtroom but the foreman Charles Nolte, of Cedar Rapids, would only say “It was a difficult case.”
Braggs has a lengthy criminal history, according to court records. He has been charged with 12 felonies and 17 misdemeanors. About 10 of those were dismissed and he was acquitted on two felonies. He was convicted on robbery, domestic abuse, harassment, carrying weapons, illegal betting, assault and drug charges but served minimal jail time for his convictions.
Many of the charges dismissed, included attempted murder, willful injury, burglary and domestic abuse, according to court records.
Check below for reporter Trish Mehaffey's live blog from this morning's verdict below.
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Bruce Braggs
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