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 Jan. 20, 2023 9:40 am1092d ago
Police investigators interrogated Alexander Jackson for several hours but he didn’t change his story about an intruder killing his parents and sister. The investigators believe his motive was an ultimatum from his father to get a job or move out.
Crime & Courts Jan. 20, 2023 8:13 am1092d ago
Video of police interview of Alexander Jackson will be played in court Thursday.
Crime & Courts Jan. 19, 2023 9:01 am1093d ago
Former crime scene investigator said two “good quality” palm prints found on murder weapon matched prints of Alexander Jackson. The position of the prints showed someone could have shot a foot.
Crime & Courts Jan. 18, 2023 8:45 am1094d ago
Follow live coverage from the courtroom with Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey
Community Jan. 18, 2023 6:00 am1094d 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 & Courts Jan. 17, 2023 6:50 pm1094d 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 & Courts Jan. 17, 2023 9:03 am1095d ago
Follow live coverage from the courtroom with Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey
Crime & Courts Jan. 18, 2023 9:32 am1094d 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 & Courts Jan. 13, 2023 8:56 am1099d 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 & Courts Feb. 14, 2023 6:57 pm1066d 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 & Courts Jan. 10, 2023 2:35 pm1102d 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 & Courts Jan. 10, 2023 4:56 pm1102d 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 am1102d 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 & Courts Dec. 27, 2022 8:21 pm1115d 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 & Courts Dec. 27, 2022 6:00 am1116d 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.

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