Farmers sue over state audit of grain elevator
The Iowa Supreme Court allowed farmers who lost money in the collapse of the Prairie Grain Co elevator at Stockport to proceed with a negligence suit against the state. They allege that the Iowa Commerce Commission failed to inspect adequately, missing a five year insolvent condition before the Feb 1 1980 collapse. The court upheld a lower court decision denying the state's bid to dismiss the case.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines Bureau
DES Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
Stockport
Prairie Grain Co
Iowa Commerce Commission
van Buren
James P. Reilly
Iowa Supreme Court rules children cannot sue parents for injuries
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that children cannot collect damages from parents in most cases when negligence involves parental authority or discretion in care such as food and education. The decision came after a 4 year old lost a leg in a silo accident at a Mitchell County farm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
Mitchell County
Galen Wagner
Wagner
Ray Clough
High Court
Benton County armed robber re sentencing ordered by Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa Supreme Court orders Ronald Darwin Hay re sentencing for a 1978 armed robbery after finding Benton County Judge Ansel J. Chapman failed to consider probation. Hay, a juvenile tried as an adult, faced up to 25 years with a five year minimum. The ruling cites the juvenile code allowing deferred judgment and probation options.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines
Bureau
Iowa Supreme Court
Benton County
Ronald Darwin Hay
Ansel J. Chapman
Hay
Court backs Linn County ruling in form rental case
The Iowa Supreme Court upheld Linn County District Court's $49,067 award to Economy Forms Corp for rental of concrete forms used on the Kenwood Ditch storm sewer project. Hennessey & Son Inc. contracted Cedar Hills Construction Co. for cement work. Cedar Hills delayed payments. The court ruled Hennessey bore responsibility to secure payment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines Bureau
Des Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
Linn County
Economy Forms Corp
Kenwood Ditch
William R. Hennessey & Son Inc
Cedar Rapids
Hennessey
Cedar Hills Construction Co
Cedar Hills
Economy
Supreme Court rejection of benefits after wildcat letter
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Michael L. Messina is denied unemployment benefits for writing a letter to the editor urging a wildcat strike. The court said denying benefits does not violate his First Amendment rights, citing cost to the fund potential labor strife and possible industry exit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette Des Moines Bureau
DES Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
Michael L. Messina
Iowa Supreme Court permits expert witnesses to refuse testimony
The Iowa Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision held expert witnesses may decline to testify unless there is a compelling necessity. The ruling, in a medical malpractice case involving Dr Edward E Mason of University of Iowa Hospitals, limits compulsory testimony and warns against fishing expeditions while allowing compelled testimony under strict conditions. Justice Schultz noted the decision creates a balanced approach and dissenter Larson argued for mandatory testimony like other witnesses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Judy Daubenmier
Azette
Des Moines Bureau
DES Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Edward E. Mason
Davis County
Ronald Mitchell
Mason
Mitchell
Louis Schultz
Schultz
J.L. Larson
Arthur McGiverin
Larson
Iowa Supreme Court tosses sex abuse conviction
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled the lower court erred by allowing police to testify that a 5 year old identified Byron W. Brown as the abuser. The case is sent back for a new trial after barring the identification as hearsay and noting prior incompetence rulings. Justice McGiverin dissented, arguing the identification was spontaneous and credible.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Iowa Supreme Court
Supreme Court
Byron W. Brown
Brown
Woodbury County
Richard Branco
Arthur McGiverin
Hypnosis OK'd in double killing trial
Iowa Supreme Court allows two witnesses to testify in the Mount Pleasant double murder if their hypnotized statements align with prior testimony. Monte Seager faces trial for the Beavers killings after their bodies were found October 29, 1978 in Mount Pleasant. Max Beavers and Sharon Gaylord had undergone hypnosis to enhance memories.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines
Bureau
Mount Pleasant
Iowa Supreme Court
Monte Seager
Seager
Clementine Ann Beavers
Karol Elizabeth Beavers
Max Beavers
Sharon Gaylord
Beavers
Also Mentioned on This Page
Benton
C.R. Sewer
Linn
William L. Thomas
Economy Forms
Armar
Carlos O’kelly
U of
Smulekoff’s
Arklin
Eiko
Smulekoffs
1St Street
3Rd Avenue
Seiko
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