CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Several weeks after a vehicle hit a protestor in Cedar Rapids, police released a statement announcing they have completed their work in regards to the case. Preliminary investigations by police indicated that on June 24th a group of protesters were attempting to legally cross the street in front of the Federal Courthouse when the traffic lights changed, giving the right of way to vehicles on 8th Avenue. A person taking part in the protest was then reportedly struck by a truck. The injured pedestrian was interviewed on-scene by CRPD and then taken by private vehicle to a local hospital for evaluation. On Monday, Cedar Rapids Police announced that they finished gathering evidence in regards to the case and have handed it off to the Black Hawk County Attorney for consideration; the Linn County Attorney recused himself from the matter since he was at the protest.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Rapids School Board voted 5-2 to keep school resource officers for another school year on Monday, but only with five officers instead of seven. The board spoke on June 6th about how they want to define the SRO program to keep students and staff safe while they’re inside the schools. While looking at the program, they said they wanted to make sure they were hearing more community members’ voices. The change to go from seven SROs to five eliminates the two floater SRO positions that largely focused on middle schools last year. The amended contract now puts an officer at each high school and one at Polk Alternative Education Center. The city of Cedar Rapids approved the original contract with seven SROs at a meeting in June. It now goes back to the city for it to consider the change.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The man accused of shooting and killing a man in the 3900 block of Northwood Drive NE back in May has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. James Siegel reportedly told police he shot 39-year-old Ty Casey in the upper chest after Casey threw a glancing punch at him. Court documents say that Casey then threw another punch at Siegel, but missed. That’s when Siegel told investigators he fired a second shot at point-blank range. Officers arrived to find Casey suffering from the gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Siegel was initially charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ty Casey, but the state reduced the charges this week to voluntary manslaughter, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine. Trial is set for January 24, 2023.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – Monday at approximately 5:10 pm, Cedar Falls Police responded to the 2900 block of Apollo St. for a report of a dog attack. Investigators say an adult female was attacked by her dog and sustained serious injuries. Police say the owner was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital. Black Hawk County Animal Control removed the dog from the residence.
