Trial date set in Doss case
A trial date for a Le Mars man accused of pointing a loaded gun at three police officers has been set for next month.
44-year-old Brandyn Scott Doss is charged with 3 counts of assault on persons in certain occupations while displaying a deadly weapon, and 1 count each of going armed with intent, first-degree harassment, assault while displaying a deadly weapon, and false imprisonment. Doss’ jury trial will start on Tuesday, March 17th at 9am in Plymouth County District Court.
Police were called to a residence on Second Ave NW in the early hours of December 14th, following up on a report of an argument between two men. According to the police report and court documents, Doss answered the door pointing a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun at three officers, and was arrested after the officers told Doss to put the gun down. Doss reportedly told officers they would be shot if they didn’t have a warrant or invitation.
Prior to the officers’ arrival, Doss allegedly pointed the gun at another man in the residence for nearly 4 minutes and had previously threatened to kill two family members via text message.
The 3 counts of assault on persons in certain occupations and the 1 count of going armed with intent are Class D felonies. Doss entered a not guilty plea to all charges, and he remains in the Plymouth County Jail on $25,000 bond.
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Librarians could be charged with a crime for giving minors access to sexually explicit material
A bill advancing in the Iowa House would make it illegal for public libraries to let anyone under 18 access books or other materials that are harmful to minors due to sexual content — unless the parent provides written consent. Terri Hubbard is a member of the Sioux Center Public Library’s Board of Trustees.
The bill was drafted after a 13-year-old checked out a book from the Sioux Center library last summer that had adult themes. Hubbard says the president of the Sioux Center Library Board has indicated any restrictions on access to books be handled at the state level.
Patty Alexander of Indianola, a leader in the Warren County Moms for Liberty Chapter, says public libraries should be a safe space for Iowa families.
The bill would give parents the right to sue a public library — and any librarian — who provides sexually explicit materials to a minor for damages and the librarian could be charged with a crime and sentenced to up to a year in prison for a first offense. Sam Helmick, a librarian in Iowa City, is past president of the Iowa Library Association and the American Library Association’s current president.
Leslie Noble, assistant director of the Urbandale Public Library, is a member of the Iowa Library Association’s government affairs committee. She says the bill will create confusion and liability concerns.
A House subcommittee voted to advance the bill on Thursday morning to the House Judiciary Committee.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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