Defense Opens Case In Tibbetts Murder Trial
(Davenport, IA) — The defense opened its case this morning in the Mollie Tibbetts murder trial. Cristhian Rivera is accused of first-degree murder in the University of Iowa student’s death. Defense attorney Jennifer Frese (Freeze) in opening remarks told the jury Mollie Tibbetts deserves justice, but so does Rivera. She says Rivera had worked a 12-hour shift prior to being
taken in for questioning. Frese says Rivera confessed to the killing only after what she describes as a systematic confrontation rather than an interview by police.
Arrest Made In Fatal WDM Hit And Run
(West Des Moines, IA) — West Des Moines police have made an arrest in a hit-and-run case that claimed the life of a southeast Iowa woman. The body of 38-year-old Stephanie Waddell of Oskaloosa. was found along Interstate 35 in West
Des Moines on May 9th. Police say it appeared Waddell was hit by a passing vehicle. They have charged 19-year-old Frank Davidson of Earlham with homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. Davidson is being held in the
Polk County Jail on a 40-thousand dollar bond.
Grassley Says Police Reform Bill Close To Passing
(Washington, DC) — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says a bipartisan police reform bill is nearly ready to go to a vote. Senators Corey Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, are working
on a compromise version of the bill. Scott, the only black U-S senator, says the bill is designed to hold law enforcement accountable for violent incidents, while also developing a system to track problem officers. Today (Tuesday) is the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death while in Minneapolis police custody.
ADM In Clinton Wins State Incentives
(Clinton, IA) — The Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in Clinton will receive one million dollars in tax benefits to work with the Japanese company Spiber America to develop plant-based fibers. . Economic Development Authority spokesperson, Kanan Kappleman, says A-D-M is going to bring in the processing equipment for the product at their biorefinery. The company is investing nearly 28 million dollars in the project, and is expected to create 48 jobs.
Spiber already has a one-million-dollar forgivable loan for its portion of the project. The company will make clothing from the artificial fibers created with material supplied by A-D-M.
