In Greene County district court a mistrial was called in a trial April 8 in which defendant Connor Laine Groves, 28, of Scranton is charged with arson- second degree, conspiracy to commit non-forcible felony fraudulent practices greater than $10,000, insurance fraud- presenting false information, criminal mischief- first degree and possession of marijuana.
The mistrial was called after a potential juror notified the trial judge that Groves had approached him the previous weekend and asked him to find her not guilty. She allegedly pressured him by mentioning her children and that she could face 40 years in prison if she were found guilty.
Groves is now also charged with tempering with jurors, a class C felony. A new trial on all charges has been scheduled for June 17.
Also in district court, Audrie Leiann Lawrence, 24, of Jefferson was sentenced to five years in prison after she changed her plea to guilty to a charge of possession of fentanyl- third or subsequent offense. The prison term was suspended and she was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for three years. The sentence will be consecutive to terms in two other Greene County cases if Lawrence ever serves them. She must complete any recommendations of a substance abuse evaluation. Lawrence was fined $1,025 with a $153.75 surcharge; both were suspended. She must pay restitution not to exceed $500 for her court appointed attorney’s fees and $100 court costs. The sentence was similar in another case in which Lawrence was charged with possession of marijuana- third or subsequent offense, except in that case the prison sentence was five years. The fine and surcharge were suspended but she must pay $192.19 restitution for her court appointed attorney’s fees and $100 court costs. (Sentencing: Honorable Joseph B. McCarville)
A judgment for a $260 fine with a $39 surcharge was entered against Sawyer Michael Nelson, 21 of West Point after he pleaded guilty to a charge of open container of alcohol in a vehicle, amended from possession of pistol or revolver by person under age 21. (Nelson was 20 at the time he was charged.) Court costs were $198.03. (Sentencing: McCarville
Obinna Louis Nwobodo, 33, of Jefferson, pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic abuse assault impeding blood/air flow and child endangerment- two counts. A trial date was set for June 17.
Cases were initiated in district court during the week ending April 11 as follows: Kyle Aaron Whitehead, 41, of Jefferson, harassment- second degree; Jacob Eugene Day, 34, of Jefferson, operating while intoxicated; Sharlene Kay Gingery, 60, of Carroll, driving while license barred; and Joseph Henry Charleston III, 54, of Manning, domestic abuse assault- third or subsequent offense.
