CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The man charged with killing four people at a property this past summer is asking for his trial to be moved out of Linn County. In a newly filed motion, attorneys for Luke Truesdell argued that he cannot get a fair trial in Linn County because of media coverage of his case. Truesdell is charged with four counts of First Degree Murder. He is accused of attacking four people with a metal pipe inside a detached garage on East Otter Road in June. Three of the victims – Romondus Cooper of Cedar Rapids, Keonna Ryan of Cedar Rapids, and Amanda Parker of Vinton – died at the scene. A fourth person – Brent Brown of Marion – died at the hospital. Truesdell is scheduled to stand trial in 2025. A hearing for his request to move his trial out of Linn County is scheduled for January 17, 2025.
WAVERLY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Waverly-Shell Rock school bus, carrying about 11 students, was rear ended at low-speed on Wednesday morning. District Superintendent David R. Hill announced the crash in a social media post, saying it happened when the bus stopped at a railroad crossing in Waverly. According to the district, it was initially reported that there were no injuries to students or staff in the crash, but one parent did take their child to be evaluated by medical personnel. The district contacted the families of all the students that were on the bus when the crash happened.
WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about the “Grandparent Scam” after a senior couple fell victim to it, losing $15,000 on Tuesday. The sheriff’s office said in this scam, the scammers target those with landlines with an elaborate story about an adult grandchild, or loved one, having been involved in a crash with a pregnant lady. The story goes on to say the grandchild was texting when the crash happened and because of it, they have now been charged and have gone to jail. The scammer even poses as the victim’s grandchild and law enforcement officials and attorneys. The scammers emphasize the urgent need for bond money to get out of jail, and insist the victims are under a gag order and cannot discuss the situation. The scammers then go to the residents’ home, posing as a courier, and picked up the money in cash. The sheriff’s office said it has had several other reports of this scam, but the victim realized it was a scam and did not end up losing any money. However, the sheriff’s office suspects there are other people who have fallen victim to the scam, but have not yet reported it.
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Center Point man has life-threatening injuries after being hit by a vehicle on Highway 965 in North Liberty on Tuesday night. The Iowa State Patrol said it happened just after 8:30 p.m. when the man was crossing the road and was hit by a southbound vehicle. The man was taken to the hospital. The crash is under investigation.
