Jury selection starts Monday in Cedar Rapids rape trial

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jury selection begins Monday in the rape and burglary trial of Bruce Braggs in Linn County District Court.

Braggs, 33, of Cedar Rapids, charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse, is accused of breaking into the home of a 19-year-old woman on Kirkwood Court SW and raping her in 2007.

She told police Braggs put something over her head while he raped her more than once.

Braggs claims he didn't rape the woman.

This trial has been continued many times because Braggs switched attorneys about three times and had a difficult time setting up an expert witness. There also have been many defense motions filed in the case, including a rare one asking to review the alleged victim's mental health records.

Sixth Judicial Judge Mitchell Turner and the attorneys in the case reviewed the records. Turner said he found nothing that would help the defendant's claim of innocence.

Gazette reporter Trish Mehaffey will liveblog the trial from court as soon as testimony begins. Readers are welcome to post comments and ask questions during the trial. Opening statements could be late Moday or Tuesday. The trial is expected to go into next week.