Trish Mehaffey

A judge gave a Cedar Rapids man with a lengthy history of assaults less prison time for trying to kill ex-girlfriend because of his age, back issues and because the judge said he didn’t believe the man was at risk to reoffend.

A Cedar Rapids man, already convicted for sexual assault in Linn and Keokuk counties, was sentenced last week to another 10 years for an assault in Marion County. The judge ran the 10 consecutively to his other 25 years for a total of 35 years.

McKinley Louisma’s phone also shows messages exchanged with victim

A Marion police investigator testified Thursday the Hiawatha man charged with killing Melody Hoffman in February had a torture photo in his phone. It shows the woman with a bloody nose, duct tape over her mouth and she appears to be crying.

The mother of a 20-year-old Marion woman who was kidnapped and killed on Feb. 17 testified Tuesday she always tracked her daughter’s phone and other electronics because Melody Hoffman had an intellectual disability that made it more difficult for her to understand social situations because she was trusting of everybody.

Marion police investigators testify about traffic camers and cell tower locations used to track Hiawath man and his co-conspirator accused of kidnapping and killing Marion woman on in February.

A Scott County jury awarded more than $1.6 million to the family of a LeClaire man, finding his former Tipton doctor liable for not properly treating a staph bacteria infection while he was recovering from spine surgery.

A Manchester family practice and obstetrics doctor was disciplined by the Iowa Board of Medicine for having a sexual relationship with an employee who was also his patient. He was cited and ordered to pay a $3,000 civil penalty.

The new University of Iowa Law Technology Law Clinic gives students the chance to show defense attorneys and others how police are using surveillance and other technology to boost criminal cases, and how can they defend their clients.

Both candidates running for Linn County Auditor will make transparency and financial responsibility top priorities for the office, along with promoting trust with the public and strengthening the voting systems.