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Thursday, January 23, 2014
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Newton, Iowa
State, defense lay out differing stories of baby’s death in Olea trial
OBITUARIES Peter Hussmann, 55 Rosemary McKinstry, 82 INSIDE TODAY
Prosecution says Kaiden Olea died of severe head trauma, defense points to possible pre-existing medical condition By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor Prosecutors and defense attorneys laid out very different versions of how 6-month-old Kaiden Olea died on Jan. 15, 2012. In the state’s version, the child’s father, 26-year-old Joseph Olea — who is currently on trial on charges of first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death — caused Kaiden to suffer high-
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force brain trauma. The defense’s version suggests the child suffered from a preexisting medical condition that resulted in his death. Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobsen gave the state’s opening argument, laying out the evidence that will eventually be presented over the course of 13 witnesses’ testimony. He said the evidence will clearly point to a brain injury inflicted upon the child by his father. Public defender Jill Eimermann gave the defense’s opening argument, reminding jurors the state carried the burden of proof. She also tore into what is expected to be the state’s main assertion — that Kaiden suffered from abusive head trauma, formerly called “Shaken Baby Syndrome”
— calling it a “controversy” amongst pediatric critical care physicians. The state’s first witness in the trial was Chelsea Miller, 26, of Monroe, who was Kaiden’s mother. She testified, tearfully at times, the child was a “happy and outgoing baby” who had no previous medical conditions prior to the events leading to his death. Miller testified she worked Tuesday through Saturday each week at Wells Fargo in West Des Moines, leaving for work each day at 6 a.m. She also got up as needed when Kaiden would wake in the middle of the night for a night-time feeding and diaper change. TRIAL See Page 5A
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Two arrested following high-speed chase; suspects allegedly transporting marijuana Sports
By Daily News Staff
NHS to honor state champions Page 7A
Submitted Photo U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack hosted a roundtable discussion Wednesday at Newton Development Corporation. Many leaders in city and business development were in attendance.
Loebsack hosts roundtable discussion at Newton Development Corporation
Health
Salads in winter — why not? Page 12A
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
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U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack held a roundtable discussion with many city and business development leaders Wednesday at Newton Development Corporation. The group discussed business development in
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Newton, the new housing initiative and topics of legislation effecting businesses and development in both Newton and the Jasper County area. “I was pleased to hear of the development in both Newton and Jasper County,” Loebsack said. “I want to thank those who participated in the
discussion for coming out and making their voices heard.” Loebsack continues to push issues on the federal level effecting his 27 county district in Iowa. “I have an open door policy. I am always willing to talk about the issues concerning you.” Loebsack said.
Compensation Board suggests raises for all of Jasper County’s elected officials Saturday
By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
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Wed., Jan. 22 High 17 Low -9 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 11A Classifieds Page 9A Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 173
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The Jasper County Compensation Board had its annual meeting Wednesday night, and one of its newest appointees challenged the county’s current compensation practices for elected officials. “I know I’m the new kid on the block, but when you look at the sheriff, and I’m not picking on you sheriff, he makes $21,533 more on average than the average sheriff in the state,” board member Larry Pauley said referring to Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty’s current income. Pauley questioned Halferty’s and Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobsen’s salaries after fellow board member John Billingsley suggested they recommend to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors that each receive a 3 percent pay bump for the 2014-15 fiscal year. “We can have a discourse on what it’s like to have an interstate in your county and things like that, and most other counties don’t have that,
Ty Rushing/Daily News Members of the Jasper County Compensation Board discuss matters before Wednesday night’s meeting. Pictured are Larry Pauley, Jason Morgan, Mark Tinnemeir, Jane McDaniel and Dean Ward. John Billingsley would arrive a short time later and Norm Van Klompenburg participated over the phone. The board will recommended raises for all of Jasper County’s elected officials to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.
a racetrack and a prison, you know?” Billingsley said. Billingsley had suggested 3 percent and cited those reasons along with the increase in cost of living, how crime has grown within the county, the cost and time of prisoner transports and the additional duties each of those men are tasked with as reasons for the increase. Halferty currently makes $92,317 annually, and Jacobsen makes $102,757 annually. Both
men were in attendance and had previously provided the board with detailed information about their job duties, the salaries of similarlypositioned professionals and relevant data to their profession. The sheriff ’s office handles approximately 34,000 calls a year, has 50 employees, maintains the only jail facility in the county, handles all dispatch calls, provides BOARD See Page 2A
A Des Moines woman and an Altoona man are facing multiple charges — including drug and weapons charges — following a high-speed chase early Wednesday morning. At 2:29 a.m. Wednesday, the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office received information from the Iowa Department of Public Safety of a vehicle believed to be westbound on Interstate 80 leaving Illinois and en route to Des Moines. Additional informaHuse tion indicated the occupants of the vehicle were transporting marijuana and armed with a weapon, according to a news release from the sheriff ’s office. At approximately 4:25 a.m., a Jasper County deputy located the vehicle westbound on I-80 at the 169 mile Williams marker. While following the vehicle, the deputy observed the passenger throw something from the vehicle. Newton police officers arrived to assist, and when a traffic stop was attempted, the vehicle did not stop. A pursuit began, with speeds reaching in excess of 100 mph on the interstate. Colfax police assisted as the pursuit continued westbound. Altoona police officers were in a position to deploy stop sticks as the suspects entered Polk County. Near the 143 mile marker, Altoona officers were successful in deploying stop sticks, causing one tire on the vehicle to go flat. The vehicle then left interstate and proceeded northbound on Highway 65. The vehicle drove into the ditch on Highway 65 about half a mile north of Interstate 80. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot and was taken into custody a short time later. The passenger in the car refused to cooperate or exit the vehicle. He was taken into custody also. Officers on scene located approximately ¼ pound of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun during a search of the vehicle and persons involved. The Polk County Sheriff ’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol assisted in the incident. Both subjects were transported to the Jasper County Jail. The driver, 19-year-old Tanisha Huse of Des Moines, was charged with eluding, a Class D felony; operating while intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor; driving while license barred/suspended, an aggravated misdemeanor; possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class D felony; failure to affix drug tax stamp, a Class D felony; carrying weapons, an aggravated misdemeanor; interference with official acts with a weapon, a Class D felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Her bond is set at $26,200. The passenger in the vehicle, 30-year-old Andre Williams of Altoona, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class D felony; failure to affix drug tax stamp, a Class D felony; interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor; a possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor; and littering, a simple misdemeanor. His bond was set at $11,200.