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
Crime & Courts Mar. 20, 2024 7:07 pm666d ago
The girlfriend of Cristian Upah, who was fatally shot last year in a marijuana robbery, testified she can’t identify 17-year-old Keyun McGowan, who is on trial this week. But McGowan’s best friend identified him as the shooter during his testimony Wednesday.
Crime & Courts Mar. 20, 2024 9:07 am666d ago
A Cedar Rapids man charged in Chris Bagley’s fatal stabbing will ask judge to move trial out of Linn County based on social media posts. Prosecutor says there’s no Iowa law that addresses social media in regards to change of venue motion.
Crime & Courts Mar. 19, 2024 2:03 pm667d ago
Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for driving drunk and striking two pedestrians, killing one of them, last November.
Crime & Courts Mar. 18, 2024 7:47 am669d ago
‘I wish I could remember that day,’ his daughter, now 42, says
Crime & Courts Mar. 21, 2024 7:51 am666d ago
A judge convicts a Cedar Rapids man of second-degree murder for fatally assaulting mother. His bench trial was in November and the judge announced his verdict Friday. The man faces up to 50 years in prison.
Crime & Courts Mar. 14, 2024 9:39 am672d ago
Tara Dutcher, charged with disorderly conduct and interference with police during a protest last fall, took the stand earlier Wednesday, saying they didn’t block traffic in the lane that police attempted to open for traffic.
Crime & Courts Mar. 14, 2024 7:55 am673d ago
Duval Walker was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder and going armed with intent on March 13, 2024 in Linn County District Court in connection with the March 17, 2023 shooting death of Cameron Barnes at Cocktails & Company in Marion. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26.
Crime & Courts Mar. 13, 2024 7:40 am674d ago
University of Iowa police testified a Coralville transgender activist encouraged others to block traffic last fall during a campus protest. The protesters wouldn’t move to allow them to clear one lane of traffic for drivers to leave an event at the Iowa Memorial Union.
Crime & Courts Mar. 12, 2024 8:13 am675d ago
Duval Walker’s former girlfriend and mother of four of his kids testified the man Walker is accused of killing harassed her and brandished a gun during an incident in 2022. Closing arguments in the first-degree murder trial will be Tuesday afternoon.
Crime & Courts Mar. 8, 2024 6:52 pm678d ago
Marion Sgt. Nicole Hotz breaks down surveillance video of fist fight that turns into fatal shooting last St. Patrick’s Day at Marion bar.
Crime & Courts Mar. 8, 2024 6:48 pm678d ago
A Cedar Rapids woman, who was nabbed by an undercover officer on the internet, was sentenced to 40 years for child porn.
Crime & Courts Mar. 7, 2024 8:08 pm679d ago
Testimony started Thursday for a Cedar Rapids man accused of fatally shooting another man last St. Patrick’s Day at a Marion bar. Cameron Barnes died from a single gunshot wound to the back of his neck.
Crime & Courts Mar. 6, 2024 5:59 pm680d ago
A Cedar Rapids man who fatally shot a man who complained about noise was convicted of a lesser charge — second-degree murder — Wednesday following a five-day trial. Brannon Johnson, 22, faces up to 50 years in prison.
Crime & Courts Mar. 7, 2024 10:27 am679d ago
A Cedar Rapids man charged with fatally shooting a man last year on St. Patrick’s Day inside a Marion bar pleads to one lesser charge before trial began Tuesday.
Crime & Courts Mar. 4, 2024 9:37 am682d ago
Iowa County Attorneys Association has two priority bills and support an additional one which enhance protections for victims and witnesses. One increases penalties committing an assault if a no contact order is already in place and another also stiffens penalties for tampering with a witness.

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