Iraqi man could be freed in Iowa assault case
(Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines
Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former Iraqi translator accused of
trying to behead his estranged wife could be freed.
The Register reports that 35-year-old Salih Kocher was given a
14-year suspended sentence and five years’ probation on Thursday,
meaning he could be released from custody after a federal
deportation hearing.
Kocher’s attorney says he won’t be deported because he faces
danger in Iraq over his work as an interpreter for the U.S.
military.
Kocher had pleaded no contest to burglary and two domestic
assault counts as part of a plea deal. In return, prosecutors
agreed not to fight Kocher’s attempts to obtain probation.
The charges stem from a July 2010 attack on 26-year-old Ayah
Moneer in a Des Moines parking lot. She told police that Kocher
held a meat cleaver to her throat.
More than 200 turn out for Occupy Iowa City
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Dozens of people have been camping out at
an Iowa City park as part of the nationwide protest against Wall
Street and large corporations.
The Occupy Iowa City event began Friday evening and continued
Saturday. The Iowa City Press-Citizens reports more than 200 people
are taking part.
One of the organizers, Shay O’Reilly, told The Associated Press
that the protesters will stay at the park indefinitely.
O’Reilly says the protest is meant to be non-violent and no
arrests have been made.
The Occupy Wall Street movement started in New York City last
month and is spreading to other parts of the country. Similar
events are planned elsewhere in Iowa over the next week.
4 Republican candidates commit to Iowa forum
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition will
hold a forum this month for presidential candidates.
The coalition says Republican candidates Michele Bachmann, Ron
Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum have committed to the Oct. 22
event at the Iowa fairgrounds. Republican National Committee
chairman Reince Priebus will also attend.
Iowa trooper arrested in reported sex assault
WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa State Patrol trooper has been
arrested in a reported sexual assault in West Union.
The state Department of Public Safety says 37-year-old Mikel
Yauk, of Oelwein, was charged Friday with first-degree burglary. He
was being held Saturday in the Fayette County jail on $50,000 bail.
A police complaint and affidavit filed in Fayette County
District Court says Yauk was armed when he entered a West Union
home without permission Wednesday night and performed a sex act on
a sleeping woman. The filing says the woman awoke to find Yauk
naked from the waist down.
Court records don’t show an attorney for Yauk.
Yauk is a 12-year veteran of the patrol. Col. Patrick Hoye says
Yauk has been placed on paid leave during the investigation.
Iowa man arrested for kidnapping amid disturbance
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A Dubuque man has been arrested on
suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault after a disturbance at
his apartment.
Police say a woman was being held against her will at
33-year-old Scott Robinson’s home and was being sexually abused.
Officers were called to his apartment early Saturday for a report
of a disturbance between a man and woman.
Robinson is being held in the Dubuque County jail without bond.
No number was listed for Robinson, and court records didn’t show
whether he had an attorney.
Robinson could face a life sentence in convicted.
Police: Man found on Iowa road may be crash victim
(Information in the following story is from: KGAN-TV,
https://www.kgan.com)
HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) – An elderly man has been found dead in a
Hiawatha road.
Hiawatha police told KGAN-TV that the man was found early
Saturday morning. His name has not been released, pending
notification of his family.
Police say the man may have been struck by a passing vehicle.
The death is under investigation.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
