en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/781702 Comments by jvandersanden http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Falls-Man-Pleads-Guilty-in-December-Bank-Robbery-118739304.html#IDComment137981553 The information in this story cannot be correct. The sentence for second degree theft is five years and there is no mandatory minimum term. He had to have pled guilty to second degree ROBBERY to receive a 10 year term with a mandatory seven year minimum. Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:12:08 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Falls-Man-Pleads-Guilty-in-December-Bank-Robbery-118739304.html#IDComment137981553 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Hilgendorf-Verdict-114219489.html#IDComment122364089 Everyone who actively participates in the crime is equally guilty in the eyes of the law and every accomplice is responsible for the acts of the others done in furtherance of the commission of the criminal offense. If four people work together to rob one bank then they are all equally guilty even though only one bank is robbed. Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:09:52 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Hilgendorf-Verdict-114219489.html#IDComment122364089 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Two-Teens-Found-Guilty-in-Beating-and-Robbery-of-a-Penford-Employee--113116359.html#IDComment120252056 Actually, the sentence for Robbery 1st is the same as it is for Attempted Murder; 25 years in prison and the defendant must serve at least 70% of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Sat, 8 Jan 2011 19:58:59 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Two-Teens-Found-Guilty-in-Beating-and-Robbery-of-a-Penford-Employee--113116359.html#IDComment120252056 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Driver-in-Deadly-Cedar-Rapids-Crash-Charged-with-Vehicular-Homicide-111125009.html#IDComment113262585 Actually, the defendant is charged with committing the same crime in alternative ways; either by drunk driving or by driving recklessly. If the jury finds him guilty of both, the sentences "merge" into one sentence. Or the jury may find him guilty of only one version of the offense or not guilty on both. Ultimately, the decision will be up to the jury. Thu, 2 Dec 2010 02:54:19 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Driver-in-Deadly-Cedar-Rapids-Crash-Charged-with-Vehicular-Homicide-111125009.html#IDComment113262585 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109232047 I'm sorry if I misunderstood your comment. It appeared to me you were suggesting that a person who is asking for a court appointed attorney should be allowed to "choose whomever you want." Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:49:27 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109232047 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109231352 I'm sorry if you were offended but I think you were missing my point. I wasn't objecting to a change in counsel if there was an actual conflict of interest. My issue was that the reason for the conflict was not being disclosed in open court. When defendants are allowed to discharge their court-appointed attorneys and seek new ones without a legitimate legal reason then it costs everyone not just in terms of tax dollars but in delaying the administration of justice. Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:44:32 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109231352 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109208483 I take exception to your comment and I believe you are mistaken. A person charged with a crime is free to choose any attorney when they are paying for their services at their own expense. However, if you are indigent, and you ask the court to appoint an attorney to represent you at taxpayer expense, you do not have the right to pick and choose your own attorney. That decision is left to the discretion of the court. Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:01:23 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Accused-of-Strangling-Neighbor-Will-Get-New-Attorney-107092768.html#IDComment109208483 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/synidcated-columnists/2010/09/11/harrop-tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-do-not-translate-into-jobs#IDComment98204175 The "stimulus spending" of over 800 billion dollars by the federal government hasn''t accomplished much in terms of creating new jobs either. We're just deeper in debt. I find it offensive that politicians ask anyone, rich or poor, to take on more of a tax burden when the federal government squanders our hard earned money. Now there is talk of a new 50 billion dollar stimulus bill. When does it end? Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:14:32 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/synidcated-columnists/2010/09/11/harrop-tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-do-not-translate-into-jobs#IDComment98204175 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/03/sex-offender-laws-too-tough-for-lesser-offenses-professor-says#IDComment97298249 If the cop was "pissed off" it was probably because of something the suspect did, like being drunk and obnoxious and then pissing out in public. Don't try to make out the drunk and unruly to be victims. I feel more sympathy for the peace officers that are charged with the responsibility of keeping some semblence of order and safety for the public. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 14:58:49 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/03/sex-offender-laws-too-tough-for-lesser-offenses-professor-says#IDComment97298249 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/03/sex-offender-laws-too-tough-for-lesser-offenses-professor-says#IDComment96806577 Actually, to be convicted of indecent exposure, you have to not only expose your genitals to another, but you have to do so "to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either party". I doubt that public urination does it for either. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 20:12:35 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/03/sex-offender-laws-too-tough-for-lesser-offenses-professor-says#IDComment96806577 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96631705 I know the twelve jurors who rendered their verdict were at the trial and carefully considered and weighed the credible testimony. How do know the punishment doesn't fit the crime; she hasn't even been sentenced yet. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:32:02 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96631705 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96588973 Justice does not depend on who you know; it depends on what you do and twelve fair and impartial jurors chosen at randon from the community, who have no stake in the outcome other to see that justice was done, concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that she was guilty as charged and they were in a far better position to judge than you. If you are going to "state your opinion" about the fairness of a verdict, maybe you should actually attend the trial rather than base it on the postings of others who were also not at the trial and did not listen to the evidence. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 13:44:16 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96588973 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96585613 Maybe you should sit in on a trial and listen to the evidence before you start rendering opinions about the judgment reached by the jury. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 13:14:22 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/01/former-youth-counselor-found-guilty-of-sexual-exploitation-of-a-16-year-old#IDComment96585613 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Blackcloud-Pleads-To-Lesser-Charge-In-Murder-Case-101573483.html#IDComment95475663 Sounds like you have an axe to grind. Linn County tries their fair share of cases; many that you never hear about in the press. But every trial is a gamble and the outcome is never a sure thing. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:32:00 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Blackcloud-Pleads-To-Lesser-Charge-In-Murder-Case-101573483.html#IDComment95475663 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90777758 Traffic safety is enhanced when drivers obey the traffic laws. The red light cameras are an enforcement tool to encourage compliance with those laws that promote public safety and free up the police to concentrate on more serious crime. I hope you're not trying to suggest that drivers should be permitted to run red lights with impunity. Wed, 4 Aug 2010 12:35:26 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90777758 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90655176 Isn't this a little like saying the breath machine is a failure because it is not stopping drunk driving? Tue, 3 Aug 2010 20:00:33 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90655176 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90598504 The bottom line is that people need to focus more on their driving and be mindful of the traffic conditions. Put the cell phones away. Obey the traffic laws and the rest will take care of its self. Tue, 3 Aug 2010 15:42:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/08/03/rollover-crash-at-center-point-road-and-collins-road#IDComment90598504 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/10/accused-kwik-shop-kidnapper-no-longer-being-charged-with-sexual-abuse#IDComment79598852 Sexual abuse is part of the Kidnapping allegation. It's the rape allegation that elevates the kidnapping offense to First Degree and carries a life sentence. One offense merges into another. It's like OWI is part of Vehicular Homicide. So the headline, while provocative, is a bit misleading. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:20:14 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/10/accused-kwik-shop-kidnapper-no-longer-being-charged-with-sexual-abuse#IDComment79598852 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/03/04/do-police-stop-everyone-taking-photos#IDComment59796675 True, I did not write a complete dissertation about 4th Amendment law. My point was simply that peace officers should not be vilified for being vigilent and asking questions. To suggest the writer would have been beaten by Cedar Rapids police officers for exercising his right to walk away sounds absurd and borders on paranoia. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 22:07:10 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/03/04/do-police-stop-everyone-taking-photos#IDComment59796675 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/03/04/do-police-stop-everyone-taking-photos#IDComment59754072 Peace officers need probable cause to arrest but do not need p/c to stop and talk with citizens on the street. There is nothing in the 4th Amendment that prohibits peace officers from initiating contact as the officers did here. What is the issue with an officer asking questions? Sounds like they were being attentive in their duties. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:14:15 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/03/04/do-police-stop-everyone-taking-photos#IDComment59754072