JerseyGirl
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GUILTY IA - Christopher Bagley, 31, Walker, Linn County, 14 Dec 2018 *arrest*
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JUL 21, 2021
Day 4 of witness testimony in Drew Blahnik murder trial (kcrg.com)
Day 4 of witness testimony in Drew Blahnik murder trial (kcrg.com)
- Paul Hoff, the owner of the trailer where Bagley was killed, took the stand Tuesday.
- He said Bagley would buy meth from him almost daily, and they developed a friendship.
- Hoff testified Bagley stole from a drug dealer named Andy Shaw 3x ...
- Hoff said that led to a fight between Bagley and Drew Wagner at his trailer.
- During the fight, Hoff describes watching Blahnik jump in to kill Bagley.
- “His head was kind of forward, and he grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head up and then stabbed 4 times, 3,4 times, 5 times maybe to the neck right there.”
- Hoff said Bagley had no fight left in him after he was stabbed the first time.
- Prosecutors say Blahnik stabbed him 17 different times.
- There were some inconsistencies between Wagner and Hoff's testimony.
- They each claimed they did not help Blahnik bury Bagley’s body, and instead pointed fingers at each other.
- Hoff will return to the stand Wednesday morning.
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JUL 22, 2021
Drew Blahnik admits to authorities he stabbed Chris Bagley, but in self-defense | The Gazette
[...]
The final portion of the videotaped and audiotaped interview with Blahnik was played Thursday for jurors hearing Blahnik’s first-degree murder trial in Linn County District Court.
[...]
When Bagley reached for his gun, Blahnik said he grabbed a knife and started stabbing Bagley in the side.
[...]
It’s not clear why Blahnik started talking to Vileta, who had tried for about four hours to get Blahnik to talk. Vileta repeatedly told him Wagner and Hoff had already told him what had happened and that Blahnik had killed Bagley.
“Those two (Wagner and Hoff) are singing a duet like Lady Gaga at the Oscars,” Vileta told him earlier in an interview room before they went to the garage.
[...]
Blahnik said Wagner and Hoff took Bagley’s body out through the window and loaded him into Wagner’s truck. He doesn’t know where they took the body.
[...]
Blahnik said they wrapped the body in a plastic tarp — one used for painting. He didn’t know what happened to the knife. Hoff was going to “take care of it.” The knife — which Blahnik said he took off the trailer’s bar counter — wasn’t found in Hoff’s home or vehicle.
[...]
After the video interview was played, Linn County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Beuter identified photos of Bagley’s body being recovered from Wagner’s yard on Souter Avenue SE on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2019.
[...]
In other testimony, Dr. Kelly Kruse, an associate state medical examiner, said she and two associates from the office assisted in the excavation of Bagley’s body.
[...]
The photos showed stab wounds to Bagley’s neck, shoulder and sides. Two of the wounds impacted his spinal column and respiratory system.
The wound to Bagley’s spinal column could have been the fatal wound. In fact, Kruse said, most of the wounds, to the stomach, spleen and abdomen, could been the fatal.
[...]
Bagley had no injuries to his hands, which indicate defensive wounds, Kruse said.
[...]
On cross-examination, Kruse said Bagley’s level of methamphetamine was high, and that some fatal overdoses occur at that level. She added people who regularly use drugs can build up a tolerance to them.
Drew Blahnik admits to authorities he stabbed Chris Bagley, but in self-defense | The Gazette
[...]
The final portion of the videotaped and audiotaped interview with Blahnik was played Thursday for jurors hearing Blahnik’s first-degree murder trial in Linn County District Court.
[...]
When Bagley reached for his gun, Blahnik said he grabbed a knife and started stabbing Bagley in the side.
[...]
It’s not clear why Blahnik started talking to Vileta, who had tried for about four hours to get Blahnik to talk. Vileta repeatedly told him Wagner and Hoff had already told him what had happened and that Blahnik had killed Bagley.
“Those two (Wagner and Hoff) are singing a duet like Lady Gaga at the Oscars,” Vileta told him earlier in an interview room before they went to the garage.
[...]
Blahnik said Wagner and Hoff took Bagley’s body out through the window and loaded him into Wagner’s truck. He doesn’t know where they took the body.
[...]
Blahnik said they wrapped the body in a plastic tarp — one used for painting. He didn’t know what happened to the knife. Hoff was going to “take care of it.” The knife — which Blahnik said he took off the trailer’s bar counter — wasn’t found in Hoff’s home or vehicle.
[...]
After the video interview was played, Linn County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Beuter identified photos of Bagley’s body being recovered from Wagner’s yard on Souter Avenue SE on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2019.
[...]
In other testimony, Dr. Kelly Kruse, an associate state medical examiner, said she and two associates from the office assisted in the excavation of Bagley’s body.
[...]
The photos showed stab wounds to Bagley’s neck, shoulder and sides. Two of the wounds impacted his spinal column and respiratory system.
The wound to Bagley’s spinal column could have been the fatal wound. In fact, Kruse said, most of the wounds, to the stomach, spleen and abdomen, could been the fatal.
[...]
Bagley had no injuries to his hands, which indicate defensive wounds, Kruse said.
[...]
On cross-examination, Kruse said Bagley’s level of methamphetamine was high, and that some fatal overdoses occur at that level. She added people who regularly use drugs can build up a tolerance to them.
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JUL 23, 2021
In grand jury testimony, Blahnik says ‘muscle memory’ from military training contributed to stabbing of Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
[...]
On day six of his first-degree murder trial, a transcript of what Blahnik testified in front of a grand jury in October of 2019 was read in it’s entirety. At that time, Blahnik told a grand jury about his background in the military, which included training in knife fighting. He said he served in combat and, at time, had to kill people.
[...]
Blahnik claimed that he saw Bagley pull out a gun and that’s when he decided to react in self-defense.
[...]
“I remember stabbing him in the, like in the side and then stabbing him in the neck,” Blahnik added.
Blahnik said his military training taught him to go for the neck or for organs.
“I was trying to inflict the most pain as possible in a little amount of time,” he said.
[...]
After Bagley was dead on the floor Blahnik said he started pacing in the back room of the trailer.
“I had my concealed weapon permit so that’s when I was like okay we need to call the cops right now and then that’s when Paul Hoff pointed the gun at me from a crouched position,” he said.
Blahnik claims Hoff threatened him not to call the police because of the drugs he had at his trailer. He said Hoff then ordered Wagner to move his pickup track around back while Hoff covered Bagley’s body with a floral bedsheet and plastic.
[...]
“Paul Hoff told Drew Wagner to drive,” Blahnik claimed.
[...]
After the transcript was read, the state rested its case. The trial will continue on Monday morning with Blahnik’s defense team calling their first witness.
Blahnik trial: State rests after a reading of Blahnik's October 2019 grand jury testimony | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
"'I just want you guys to please take that into consideration that I'm not a bad person,'" he told the grand jury, which later indicted him for first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing prosecution.
In grand jury testimony, Blahnik says ‘muscle memory’ from military training contributed to stabbing of Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
[...]
On day six of his first-degree murder trial, a transcript of what Blahnik testified in front of a grand jury in October of 2019 was read in it’s entirety. At that time, Blahnik told a grand jury about his background in the military, which included training in knife fighting. He said he served in combat and, at time, had to kill people.
[...]
Blahnik claimed that he saw Bagley pull out a gun and that’s when he decided to react in self-defense.
[...]
“I remember stabbing him in the, like in the side and then stabbing him in the neck,” Blahnik added.
Blahnik said his military training taught him to go for the neck or for organs.
“I was trying to inflict the most pain as possible in a little amount of time,” he said.
[...]
After Bagley was dead on the floor Blahnik said he started pacing in the back room of the trailer.
“I had my concealed weapon permit so that’s when I was like okay we need to call the cops right now and then that’s when Paul Hoff pointed the gun at me from a crouched position,” he said.
Blahnik claims Hoff threatened him not to call the police because of the drugs he had at his trailer. He said Hoff then ordered Wagner to move his pickup track around back while Hoff covered Bagley’s body with a floral bedsheet and plastic.
[...]
“Paul Hoff told Drew Wagner to drive,” Blahnik claimed.
[...]
After the transcript was read, the state rested its case. The trial will continue on Monday morning with Blahnik’s defense team calling their first witness.
Blahnik trial: State rests after a reading of Blahnik's October 2019 grand jury testimony | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
"'I just want you guys to please take that into consideration that I'm not a bad person,'" he told the grand jury, which later indicted him for first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing prosecution.
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JUL 26, 2021
Defense rests their case in Drew Blahnik murder trial (kcrg.com)
Defense attorney Leon Spies said they are resting their case, so the defense will not be calling any witnesses. Closing arguments are expected to begin at 1 p.m. Monday.
It comes after the prosecution rested on Friday.
[...]
Blahnik said he remembers stabbing Bagley in the side and in the neck.
He was in the Army and had served in Afghanistan. He said he was trained to attack the neck or organs.
[...]
Blahnik's fate in the hands of the jury as they deliberate his role in Chris Bagley's murder (kwwl.com)
[...]
In its rebuttal, the state said Blahnik was also a trained actor and the witnesses - although drug users and sellers - testified they will never forget the sounds of air leaving Bagley's body as he was being murdered in front of their eyes.
Monica Slaughter is the Assistant Linn County Attorney who made closing arguments today.
"You don't forget stuff like that, you don't forget those types of details. You don't forget the sound of someone's blood gurgling out of their throat after they've been murdered in your living room," Slaughter said.
The jury was excused to begin deliberating at 4:11 p.m. with nearly 60 instructions.
[...]
Defense rests their case in Drew Blahnik murder trial (kcrg.com)
Defense attorney Leon Spies said they are resting their case, so the defense will not be calling any witnesses. Closing arguments are expected to begin at 1 p.m. Monday.
It comes after the prosecution rested on Friday.
[...]
Blahnik said he remembers stabbing Bagley in the side and in the neck.
He was in the Army and had served in Afghanistan. He said he was trained to attack the neck or organs.
[...]
Blahnik's fate in the hands of the jury as they deliberate his role in Chris Bagley's murder (kwwl.com)
[...]
In its rebuttal, the state said Blahnik was also a trained actor and the witnesses - although drug users and sellers - testified they will never forget the sounds of air leaving Bagley's body as he was being murdered in front of their eyes.
Monica Slaughter is the Assistant Linn County Attorney who made closing arguments today.
"You don't forget stuff like that, you don't forget those types of details. You don't forget the sound of someone's blood gurgling out of their throat after they've been murdered in your living room," Slaughter said.
The jury was excused to begin deliberating at 4:11 p.m. with nearly 60 instructions.
[...]
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JUL 26, updated through JUL 28, 2021
Blahnik trial: jury begins deliberating possible justification for Bagley stabbing death | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
UPDATE Wednesday 4:16 p.m.: According to the family of Chris Bagley, the jury has still not reached a verdict in the murder trial against Drew Blahnik. Deliberations will continue Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
UPDATE Tuesday, 3:50pm: Jury was dismissed late Tuesday afternoon. No verdict was reached. Deliberations to continue 9am Wednesday morning.
ORIGINAL: Just after 4 pm Monday, a Linn County jury began deliberating in the murder trial of Drew Blahnik.
JUL 28, 2021
Jurors will continue deliberations in Drew Blahnik trial Thursday | The Gazette
The jury had two questions Wednesday involving Blahnik’s police interview and jury instructions on the law. Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns sent back a note both times and told them to rely on the evidence from trial and the instructions.
Blahnik trial: jury begins deliberating possible justification for Bagley stabbing death | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
UPDATE Wednesday 4:16 p.m.: According to the family of Chris Bagley, the jury has still not reached a verdict in the murder trial against Drew Blahnik. Deliberations will continue Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
UPDATE Tuesday, 3:50pm: Jury was dismissed late Tuesday afternoon. No verdict was reached. Deliberations to continue 9am Wednesday morning.
ORIGINAL: Just after 4 pm Monday, a Linn County jury began deliberating in the murder trial of Drew Blahnik.
JUL 28, 2021
Jurors will continue deliberations in Drew Blahnik trial Thursday | The Gazette
The jury had two questions Wednesday involving Blahnik’s police interview and jury instructions on the law. Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns sent back a note both times and told them to rely on the evidence from trial and the instructions.
Last edited:
JerseyGirl
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Ugh...
UPDATE: The Blahnik jury appears to be deadlocked, reporting that one juror is refusing to follow the law. The Court had previously denied giving the jury an Allen instruction, referring to a case by the same name that would be a strong instruction to continue deliberations until they come to a verdict.
Instead, Judge Christopher Burns instructed the jury to continue their deliberations.
The defense argued against giving the instruction, saying it would be coercive.
The judge had asked the jury if continuing their deliberations would be fruitful. The jury responded with, "No."
The jury reported there was one single hold-out on the jury and they had voted 11 to 1.
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VERDICT!
Drew Blahnik convicted of murdering Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
After nearly two full days of deliberations, a jury convicted Drew Blahnik of second-degree murder and two other charges in the death of Chris Bagley.
[...]
Blahnik now faces up to 50 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge. He was also convicted of obstructing prosecution and abuse of a corpse. Sentencing will take place on October 12th.
Drew Blahnik convicted of murdering Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
After nearly two full days of deliberations, a jury convicted Drew Blahnik of second-degree murder and two other charges in the death of Chris Bagley.
[...]
Blahnik now faces up to 50 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge. He was also convicted of obstructing prosecution and abuse of a corpse. Sentencing will take place on October 12th.
JerseyGirl
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'Relieved and exhausted' Bagley family celebrates guilty verdict in Blahnik murder trial
Blahnik faces an October sentencing.
He faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and could serve up to 57.
Blahnik faces an October sentencing.
He faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and could serve up to 57.
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JUL 29, 2021
Jury finds Blahnik guilty on all charges for murder of Chris Bagley (kwwl.com)
[...]
"We the jury find the defendant guilty of count 1, murder in the 2nd degree. Count 2, we the jury find the defendant guilty of obstructing the prosecution. Count 3 we the jury find the defendant guilty of abusing a corpse," Judge Christopher read the verdict.
The jury found him guilty of a lesser charge than the first degree murder he was charged with. Jurors and Bagley's family members arrived at the Linn County Courthouse at 9:00 this morning, as they had since Tuesday morning.
[...]
When asked how he felt when the verdict was read, SB was emotional.
"Ecstatic, tired, everything -- but really, really relieved we got the justice. That's all we ever wanted," Bagley said.
[...]
Shaw is currently serving a 94-month federal sentence for large-scale marijuana trafficking. He was never charged in Bagley's murder.
Hoff is serving a roughly 18-year sentence in federal prison for firearm and drug charges.
Wagner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges related to Bagley's murder in a plea deal he struck with the prosecution last year.
[...]
Bagley's family quietly rejoiced and cried as the forewoman read the verdict on each count. Blahnik stood expressionless as the verdict was read.
[...]
Jury finds Blahnik guilty on all charges for murder of Chris Bagley (kwwl.com)
[...]
"We the jury find the defendant guilty of count 1, murder in the 2nd degree. Count 2, we the jury find the defendant guilty of obstructing the prosecution. Count 3 we the jury find the defendant guilty of abusing a corpse," Judge Christopher read the verdict.
The jury found him guilty of a lesser charge than the first degree murder he was charged with. Jurors and Bagley's family members arrived at the Linn County Courthouse at 9:00 this morning, as they had since Tuesday morning.
[...]
When asked how he felt when the verdict was read, SB was emotional.
"Ecstatic, tired, everything -- but really, really relieved we got the justice. That's all we ever wanted," Bagley said.
[...]
Shaw is currently serving a 94-month federal sentence for large-scale marijuana trafficking. He was never charged in Bagley's murder.
Hoff is serving a roughly 18-year sentence in federal prison for firearm and drug charges.
Wagner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges related to Bagley's murder in a plea deal he struck with the prosecution last year.
[...]
Bagley's family quietly rejoiced and cried as the forewoman read the verdict on each count. Blahnik stood expressionless as the verdict was read.
[...]
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AUG 6, 2021
Drew Wagner sentenced to 47 years in prison in the death of Chris Bagley | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
Drew Wagner was sentenced Friday to 47 years in prison for his role in the death of Chris Bagley.
Wagner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and several other charges in Bagley's 2018 disappearance and death. Wagner avoided a possible life sentence for his plea deal, which included that he testified against one-time co-defendant Drew Blahnik during his murder trial.
The judge said he will need to serve at least ten years before he could be eligible for parole.
A jury found Blahnik guilty of first-degree murder on July 26.
[...]
Drew Wagner sentenced to 47 years in prison in the death of Chris Bagley | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
Drew Wagner was sentenced Friday to 47 years in prison for his role in the death of Chris Bagley.
Wagner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and several other charges in Bagley's 2018 disappearance and death. Wagner avoided a possible life sentence for his plea deal, which included that he testified against one-time co-defendant Drew Blahnik during his murder trial.
The judge said he will need to serve at least ten years before he could be eligible for parole.
A jury found Blahnik guilty of first-degree murder on July 26.
[...]
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SEP 28, 2021
Man who owns trailer where Chris Bagley was killed to appear in court Tuesday (kcrg.com)
[...]
Paul Hoff will have a disposition hearing Tuesday morning. ...
[...]
Hoff witnessed the murder at his trailer and helped hide evidence afterwards.
Hoff said he only participated in the trial to get a lighter sentence on his own charges.
[...]
Man pleads guilty to obstructing prosecution in connection to death of Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
The man who owned the trailer where Chris Bagley was stabbed to death in 2018 has pleaded guilty to obstructing prosecution.
Paul Hoff made the guilty plea Tuesday morning at the Linn County Courthouse. His felony abuse of a corpse charge in relation to the case was simultaneously dropped.
[...]
Hoff appeared in person during Tuesday’s hearing and was all smiles after signing the plea. He thanked a couple of his loved ones for coming to the hearing. Bagley’s family was not in attendance. Slaughter told us the plea was something the family and prosecutors were comfortable with.
[...]
Man who owns trailer where Chris Bagley was killed to appear in court Tuesday (kcrg.com)
[...]
Paul Hoff will have a disposition hearing Tuesday morning. ...
[...]
Hoff witnessed the murder at his trailer and helped hide evidence afterwards.
Hoff said he only participated in the trial to get a lighter sentence on his own charges.
[...]
Man pleads guilty to obstructing prosecution in connection to death of Chris Bagley (kcrg.com)
The man who owned the trailer where Chris Bagley was stabbed to death in 2018 has pleaded guilty to obstructing prosecution.
Paul Hoff made the guilty plea Tuesday morning at the Linn County Courthouse. His felony abuse of a corpse charge in relation to the case was simultaneously dropped.
[...]
Hoff appeared in person during Tuesday’s hearing and was all smiles after signing the plea. He thanked a couple of his loved ones for coming to the hearing. Bagley’s family was not in attendance. Slaughter told us the plea was something the family and prosecutors were comfortable with.
[...]
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OCT 11, 2021
Sentencing delayed for Drew Blahnik, convicted of killing Chris Bagley | The Gazette
The sentencing of a Cedar Rapids man convicted in July of fatally stabbing Chris Bagley in 2018 will not go forward Tuesday because a judge will first rule on his motion for a new trial.
OCT 12, 2021
No decision on new trial motion for Cedar Rapids man convicted of killing Chris Bagley | The Gazette
A judge Tuesday didn’t rule on a motion for a new trial for a Cedar Rapids man convicted in July of killing Chris Bagley because one of the witnesses couldn’t be at the hearing.
[...]
OCT 21, 2021
Man found guilty of killing Chris Bagley has next court hearings set | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
A judge has set a December third hearing on whether or not Drew Blahnik will receive a new trial in the death of Chris Bagley.
[...]
Judge Christopher Bruns will decide if he is granted a new trial. If not, court documents say Blahnik will be sentenced on December 17.
[...]
Sentencing delayed for Drew Blahnik, convicted of killing Chris Bagley | The Gazette
The sentencing of a Cedar Rapids man convicted in July of fatally stabbing Chris Bagley in 2018 will not go forward Tuesday because a judge will first rule on his motion for a new trial.
OCT 12, 2021
No decision on new trial motion for Cedar Rapids man convicted of killing Chris Bagley | The Gazette
A judge Tuesday didn’t rule on a motion for a new trial for a Cedar Rapids man convicted in July of killing Chris Bagley because one of the witnesses couldn’t be at the hearing.
[...]
OCT 21, 2021
Man found guilty of killing Chris Bagley has next court hearings set | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)
A judge has set a December third hearing on whether or not Drew Blahnik will receive a new trial in the death of Chris Bagley.
[...]
Judge Christopher Bruns will decide if he is granted a new trial. If not, court documents say Blahnik will be sentenced on December 17.
[...]
JerseyGirl
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Blahnik given maximum sentence for 2018 Chris Bagley murder
Drew Blahnik will serve at least 42 years. Judge Christopher Bruns had little discretion in sentencing Blahnik on his second-degree murder charge, which carries a mandatory minimum of 35 years. The judge ordered Blahnik serve up to 50 years on that charge and seven years for two other charges, making his possible sentence 57 years. He could get less time for good behavior or work programs.
Drew Blahnik will serve at least 42 years. Judge Christopher Bruns had little discretion in sentencing Blahnik on his second-degree murder charge, which carries a mandatory minimum of 35 years. The judge ordered Blahnik serve up to 50 years on that charge and seven years for two other charges, making his possible sentence 57 years. He could get less time for good behavior or work programs.
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DEC 22, 2021
Judge grants Chris Bagley killer name change | The Gazette
A judge granted a name change request for a Cedar Rapids man sentenced last week to 57 years in prison for killing Chris Bagley, but Drew Blahnik’s murder conviction will remain under his birth name.
Blahnik, 34, will now also be known as Johnny Blahnik Church, 6th Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns said in his order filed last Friday after Blahnik’s sentencing.
DEC 26, 2021
Iowa man who murdered Chris Bagley, hid body gets 57 years in prison
On Dec. 17, Blahnik was sentenced to 50 years for murder, five years for abuse of a corpse and two years for obstructing prosecution. He must serve a minimum of 35 years on the murder charge before he will be eligible for parole.
[...]
Bruns also rejected Blahnik's motion for a new trial, writing on Dec. 8 that even if there had been a valid self-defense claim, "Blahnik stabbed Bagley so many times and with such ferocity that the force used was not reasonable."
APR 18, 2022
Federal gun charges going forward for man who killed Chris Bagley | The Gazette
The man who fatally stabbed Chris Bagley in 2018 will be tried in federal court on a charge of illegally possessing a firearm while being a ...
(My allotted # of free articles has been reached ... ^^^ Google preview)
Judge grants Chris Bagley killer name change | The Gazette
A judge granted a name change request for a Cedar Rapids man sentenced last week to 57 years in prison for killing Chris Bagley, but Drew Blahnik’s murder conviction will remain under his birth name.
Blahnik, 34, will now also be known as Johnny Blahnik Church, 6th Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns said in his order filed last Friday after Blahnik’s sentencing.
DEC 26, 2021
Iowa man who murdered Chris Bagley, hid body gets 57 years in prison
On Dec. 17, Blahnik was sentenced to 50 years for murder, five years for abuse of a corpse and two years for obstructing prosecution. He must serve a minimum of 35 years on the murder charge before he will be eligible for parole.
[...]
Bruns also rejected Blahnik's motion for a new trial, writing on Dec. 8 that even if there had been a valid self-defense claim, "Blahnik stabbed Bagley so many times and with such ferocity that the force used was not reasonable."
APR 18, 2022
Federal gun charges going forward for man who killed Chris Bagley | The Gazette
The man who fatally stabbed Chris Bagley in 2018 will be tried in federal court on a charge of illegally possessing a firearm while being a ...
(My allotted # of free articles has been reached ... ^^^ Google preview)
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JUN 6, 2022
www.kcrg.com
Drew Blahnik, 35, of Cedar Rapids, was convicted of one count of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of methamphetamine and cocaine.
He was previously convicted in July 2021 of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and abuse of a corpse in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. He was sentenced to 57 years in Iowa state prison for those convictions.
AUG 31, 2022
www.kcrg.com
Johnny Church, who changed his name from Drew Blahnik, was sentenced to 57 years in prison in December 2021. He now faces charges of Willful Injury Resulting in Serious Injury and Tampering with a Witness or Juror.
The sheriff’s office said Church and the other attacker repeatedly kicked, punched and hit Palmer with a metal lunch tray.
Officials say the attack was allegedly done to tamper with a witness.
Man convicted of murdering Chris Bagley pleads guilty to unlawful gun possession
The man convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Chris Bagley pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to unlawfully possessing a gun and ammunition.
He was previously convicted in July 2021 of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and abuse of a corpse in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. He was sentenced to 57 years in Iowa state prison for those convictions.
AUG 31, 2022
Man convicted in killing of Chris Bagley now facing charges for alleged attack of inmate
One of the men convicted for his involvement in the killing of Chris Bagley in 2018 is now facing other charges for allegedly attacking another inmate.
The sheriff’s office said Church and the other attacker repeatedly kicked, punched and hit Palmer with a metal lunch tray.
Officials say the attack was allegedly done to tamper with a witness.
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FEB 8, 2023
cbs2iowa.com
The second-degree murder conviction of Johnny Blahnik Church, formerly Drew Blahnik, has been thrown out by the Iowa Court of Appeals.
[...]
In the opinion, the appeals court says because the jury's notes in court revealed open hostility to one lone holdout juror, the court should never had given them a verdict-urging instruction.
The foreperson sent this note on day four of deliberations:
"We have a juror that is refusing to follow certain rules set forth by you. We took a vote to whether or not we felt this person was deliberately not following a rule. The vote was 11 to 1. We have gone over this rule numerous times with this juror. The response has been “I don’t care, I’m not changing my opinion."
The State requested an Allen Charge, which allows the judge to encourage anyone in the minority to reconsider their position. At first the judge denied it after the defense objected but later in the day, after another note from the jury, the State asked, and received an Allen Charge.
The jury came back with a verdict a few hours later convicting him of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing prosecution. All three convictions are overturned and the appeals court says there should be a new trial.
[...]
Appeals court overturns murder conviction of man who killed Chris Bagley
The second-degree murder conviction of Johnny Blahnik Church, formerly Drew Blahnik, has been thrown out by the Iowa Court of Appeals.In an opinion filed Wednes
cbs2iowa.com
[...]
In the opinion, the appeals court says because the jury's notes in court revealed open hostility to one lone holdout juror, the court should never had given them a verdict-urging instruction.
The foreperson sent this note on day four of deliberations:
"We have a juror that is refusing to follow certain rules set forth by you. We took a vote to whether or not we felt this person was deliberately not following a rule. The vote was 11 to 1. We have gone over this rule numerous times with this juror. The response has been “I don’t care, I’m not changing my opinion."
The State requested an Allen Charge, which allows the judge to encourage anyone in the minority to reconsider their position. At first the judge denied it after the defense objected but later in the day, after another note from the jury, the State asked, and received an Allen Charge.
The jury came back with a verdict a few hours later convicting him of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing prosecution. All three convictions are overturned and the appeals court says there should be a new trial.
[...]
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FEB 28, 2023
www.thegazette.com
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has asked the Iowa Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that overturned a Marion man’s second-degree murder conviction for fatally stabbing Chris Bagley in 2018.
[...]
If the justices accept the appeal for review, there’s no timeline for how long they can take to reach a decision, Slaughter said. The court could ask for oral arguments or just accept written arguments and make a ruling. The review could be considered in the current term, which ends in June, or the term that starts in September, she said.
If the court doesn’t grant further review or upholds the appeals court decision, Slaughter said Blahnik Church will be tried a second time.
The appeals court ruled the trial judge abused his discretion in asking the jury to continue deliberations when jurors revealed, in a note, “open hostility toward a lone holdout juror.”
[...]
Blahnik Church [FORMERLY DREW BLAHNIK], 35, was convicted of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and obstruction of prosecution. He was sentenced to 57 years in prison.
Blahnik Church remains in jail because he is also serving time on federal drug charges and Linn County charges for beating up a witness while in jail.
Iowa AG asks high court for review of Marion man’s overturned murder conviction
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has asked the Iowa Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that overturned a Marion man’s second-degree murder conviction for fatally stabbing Chris Bagley in 2018.
www.thegazette.com
[...]
If the justices accept the appeal for review, there’s no timeline for how long they can take to reach a decision, Slaughter said. The court could ask for oral arguments or just accept written arguments and make a ruling. The review could be considered in the current term, which ends in June, or the term that starts in September, she said.
If the court doesn’t grant further review or upholds the appeals court decision, Slaughter said Blahnik Church will be tried a second time.
The appeals court ruled the trial judge abused his discretion in asking the jury to continue deliberations when jurors revealed, in a note, “open hostility toward a lone holdout juror.”
[...]
Blahnik Church [FORMERLY DREW BLAHNIK], 35, was convicted of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and obstruction of prosecution. He was sentenced to 57 years in prison.
Blahnik Church remains in jail because he is also serving time on federal drug charges and Linn County charges for beating up a witness while in jail.
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SEP 20, 2024
- The trial for Andrew Thomas Shaw was set to start Nov. 5, but the defense needs more time to prepare.
- Delay was granted on Friday and trial reset for Feb. 4 in Linn County District Court.
- Shaw is charged with first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit forcible felony.
- He was charged last October in the murder of Chris Bagley after being released from a federal prison sentence for trafficking marijuana.
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