116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Trish Mehaffey
Reporter covering state and federal courts, and whatever legal issues come my way. I also provide live coverage of criminal trials on Twitter @tmehaffey and welcome comments and questions from readers during the trials. Outside of work I love movies, tennis and my Kansas State Wildcats! Go Cats! Stay informed with the Public Safety newsletter.
Latest Articles by Trish Mehaffey
Community Jan. 18, 2023 6:00 am11d ago
Iowa Prairie Network’s annual winter seminar theme is “Prairies in a Changing Landscape” and will be held Feb. 18 in-person and virtually at Drake University.
Crime and Courts Jan. 17, 2023 6:50 pm11d ago
A state medical examiner testified Tuesday that the parents and sister of accused killer Alexander Jackson each had multiple fatal injuries. His mother was shot in the head at close range, according to the autopsy.
Crime and Courts Jan. 17, 2023 9:03 am12d ago
Follow live coverage from the courtroom with Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey
Crime and Courts Jan. 18, 2023 9:32 am11d ago
A prosecutor, in his opening statement, said officers didn’t expect to find three family members dead when they responded to a call about a break-in on June 15, 2021.
Crime and Courts Jan. 13, 2023 8:56 am16d ago
Alexander Jackson is accused of killing his father, mother and sister June 15, 2021. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Crime and Courts Jan. 11, 2023 4:00 pm17d ago
Judge denies second motion to move trial out of Linn County for Chicago man accused of robbery and shooting responding sheriff’s deputy in 2021.
Crime and Courts Jan. 10, 2023 2:35 pm18d ago
Alexander Jackson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his father, mother and sister in June 2021. Testimony may start Thursday and the trial is expected to last nine days.
Crime and Courts Jan. 10, 2023 4:56 pm18d ago
An Oelwein man who conspired with Chris Bagley’s killer to assault a drug informant was sentenced to 30 years for distributing meth out of his home. Court also found he sexually assaulted women.
News Jan. 10, 2023 10:07 am19d ago
Technology changed how newspapers and other media covered stories by providing more tools to engage readers, but also presented challenges of learning new skills.
Crime and Courts Dec. 27, 2022 8:21 pm32d ago
Iowa has a shortage of court reporters and the state court administrator “guarantees” jobs to the 48 enrolled at DMACC if they complete the two-year program and receive certification.
Crime and Courts Dec. 27, 2022 6:00 am33d ago
Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness retires after 31 years in office, the last 15 spent as the top prosecutor. She said her early work on women’s rights influenced her law career.
Crime and Courts Dec. 24, 2022 6:00 am36d ago
A judge agrees to marry a man to his girlfriend after sentencing him to prison for 18 years for shooting and injuring another man in May 2021 near a church.
Crime and Courts Dec. 16, 2022 3:59 pm43d ago
The mother of Michael Valentine, fatally shot by Dimione Walker, said her son was trying to be a better man for his son but his “light” was dimmed too soon. She forgave his killer.
Crime and Courts Dec. 16, 2022 6:00 am44d ago
He’s accused of pouring lighter fluid under his ex-girlfriend’s apartment door and igniting a blaze, trapping his ex, her boyfriend and three children inside. They escaped by going on the balcony.
Crime and Courts Dec. 15, 2022 4:14 pm44d ago
A Storm Lake man who was armed and took his wife hostage in an Iowa City parking ramp Monday, now faces additional charges for attempting to steal a woman’s car during his escape from police.