GUILTY IA - Sterling Koehn, 4 mos, starved to death, Alta Vista, 30 Aug 2017

[HayLouise]

He is also working on a PhD in Arizona.

Dennert has been involved in about 30 cases and testified in 14 case

Dennert did psychiatric evaluation of Harris.Reviewed documents,scene photos,psychological reports,interviewed Harris via telemedicine.

Dennert: difficult to diagnose after the fact. She reported symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Dennert: The question is was Harris' depression etc so severe to keep her from noticing her infant was starving to death?

Dennert: would expect to see it impact all areas of life, other activities of daily living, would be there day after day. No one and off.

... should be not on and off ...

Dennert:daughter was chubby&healthy. Apartment was cluttered but not neglected.She was able to care for herself,take care of her daily needs

Dennert: Best indication for Harris' condition was interview tape of her (w/DCI), but doesn't show what it was weeks prior

Jeff Reinitz (@JeffAtCourier) | Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Dennert: She was able to communicate with authorities

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[Emi]

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert:Harris told me that at the time she thought Sterling was the reason her family was having problems ...

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
... she said looking back she found that was illogical

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert: substance abuse would complicate the matter. Symptoms could be chronic meth abuse. She admitted she was using regularly.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert is done. No more state rebuttal. Defense talking to see if they want to rebut the rebuttal.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
and the answer is "no." Jury heading out for the day. Attorneys will now work on instructions.

 

[Emi]

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said Sterling's bedroom was dark bc he'd squint at light.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said he had no interaction w/ Sterling on Aug29, 2017.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said Harris woke him up around noon on Aug. 30, 2017. crying on her knees, saying "he's gone, he's gone" He touched him, baby was cold

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said he had trouble trying to find a signal to call 911.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said Sterling's death wasn't all Harris' fault.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter



Harris w daughter on bodycam

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
State had questioned Koehn about working hauling manure, but couldn't handle diapers. Responded that the smells are different.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn was asked about how daughter and parents were fed but son was starving to death, said "I put my trust in the wrong person."

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn admitted that it looked like he took better care of his dog than his own son.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn told DCI he quit using meth 2 weeks before Sterling's death. because of financial reasons. after 10 years of use.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said Sterling looked fine when he saw him Aug. 28 and maybe a week or so before that.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 6h6 hours ago
Koehn said he traded his leftover drugs for baby supplies, bottles, clothing, blankets in Twin Lakes, Minnesota.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Koehn said he should have stepped up, should have known. He had seen "mood swings" in Harris

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Done with the defense evidence. Defense attorney Hawbaker said Harris won't testify

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Lunch break, about 45 minutes

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Back after lunch, Defense rests. State rebuttal witness is Jame Dennert, a psychiatrist.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Dennert worked on PTSD at Mercy Medical, Des Moines. Also does telemedicine for Clinton area.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
He is also working on a PhD in Arizona.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 5h5 hours ago
Dennert has been involved in about 30 cases and testified in 14 case

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert did psychiatric evaluation of Harris.Reviewed documents,scene photos,psychological reports,interviewed Harris via telemedicine.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert: difficult to diagnose after the fact. She reported symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert: The question is was Harris' depression etc so severe to keep her from noticing her infant was starving to death?

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert: would expect to see it impact all areas of life, other activities of daily living, would be there day after day. No one and off.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
... should be not on and off ...

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert:daughter was chubby&healthy. Apartment was cluttered but not neglected.She was able to care for herself,take care of her daily needs

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 4h4 hours ago
Dennert: Best indication for Harris' condition was interview tape of her (w/DCI), but doesn't show what it was weeks prior

Cathy Russon on Twitter
Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 6h6 hours ago
#CheyanneHarris will NOT testify

Cathy Russon on Twitter
Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 4h4 hours ago
#CheyanneHarris - That's it. Both sides rest. Closing arguments tomorrow morning.

 

[Emi]

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 11am CT) - IA - Sterling Daniel Koehn (4 mos old) (found Aug. 30, 2017 decomposing & covered in maggots in swing, Alta Vista) – only for *Cheyanne Renae Harris (20) “mom” charged & indicted (10/24/17) & arraigned (11/8/17) with 1st degree murder & child endangerment causing death. Plead not guilty. $100K Cash bond.
Trial started 1/30/19.
1/30/19 Day 1: Charges read to defendant. Opening statements. State witnesses: Cathy Knutson, 911 dispatcher. Toni Friedrich, a nurse and first responder Alta Vista apt, also an assistant county medical examiner. Tina Shatek, a mail carrier & 1st responder who also went to the Alta Vista apt. Deputy Jason Rosol, who responded to the scene. Jeremy McGrath, Chickasaw County medical examiner at the time. Chickasaw Co. Sheriff Martin Hemann. Chickasaw Chief Deputy Reed Palo.
1/31/19 Day 2: State witnesses: DCI special agent Jim Thiele, took photos of scene. Jennifer Schriever, who babysat Sterling and works at AVExpress gas station where she met Harris in June, 2017. Dave Nugent, Koehn's boss. Brandy Harris, Cheyanne's mom. Jordan Clark, Koehn's friend. Sheila Schroeder, a DHS worker. Agent John Turbett with Iowa DCI. Agent Chris Callaway with Iowa DCI, interviewed Harris on Aug. 30, 2017. Played interview tape. Will continue tomorrow, 2/1.
2/1/19 Day 3: Agent Chris Callaway with Iowa DCI, interviewed Harris on Aug. 30, 2017. Resuming audio of Harris' DCI interview. Dr. Dennis Klein, Iowa Chief Medical Examiner. Did the autopsy. Timothy Huntington, a professor at Concordia in Nebraska, a forensic entomologist. The prosecution rests. The defense will begin next week. Court is dark on Monday (2/4). Defense will start on Tuesday, 2/5 at 11am. Late start due to judge's schedule.
2/5/19 Day 4: Defense sought to call Zachary Koehn in their case-in-chief. Koehn will take the 5th and won't testify about anything to do with Sterling's death. Judge declines to throw out charges, trial continues. Hawbaker said defense will read-in Zach Koehn's prior testimony. Judge denies defense motion. Trial will continue. Defense witnesses: Michael O'Hara, PhD. psychology professor at University of Iowa (same post-parturm expert called in Koehn's trial). Chief Deputy Reed Palo, recounts meeting Harris after 911 call, recorded on bodycam. Played body cam. Defense is reading Zach Koehn's testimony from Koehn's trial. Hawbaker is reading Koehn's part. (Koehn took 5th for Harris' trial). Defense rests. Harris won't testify. State rebuttal witness is Jame Dennert, a psychiatrist (worked on PTSD at Mercy Medical, Des Moines. Also does telemedicine for Clinton area). Defense witness: No more state rebuttal. Defense talking to see if they want to rebut the rebuttal, & the answer is "no." Jury will be sent home early while attorneys work on jury instructions this afternoon. Closing arguments set for tomorrow morning 2/6.
*Zachary Paul Koehn (28) charged & indicted (10/24/17) with 1st degree murder & child endangerment. Plead not guilty; $100K Cash bond.
11/6/18 Update Day 6: The child's mother, Cheyanne Harris, was charged & isn't being tried with Koehn. Koehn's defense had subpoenaed her. But her attorney asserted her 5th Amendment rights during a hearing last month after the subpoena. Defense witness: Michael O'Hara, PhD, professor of psychology (Postpartum Depression specialist). Defense is done with evidence. No state rebuttal. Judge gave the jury instructions. Both sides gave closing arguments. Prosecutor gave rebuttal arguments. Judge dismissed the alternate jurors, both men. Jury sent to deliberate at 12:50 p.m. Jury back with verdict after an hour & 10 minutes of deliberations. Guilty of 1st degree murder & child endangerment causing death. Murder carries mandatory life w/out parole, sentencing at later date. 11/21/18: Defense files motion for a new trial.
12/4/18 Update: Judge Richard Stochl on Tuesday sentenced Koehn to the life sentence without parole, as was mandatory under state law.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Following your posts. Thank you again!

 

[HayLouise]

#CheyanneHarris - Closing arguments this morning at 9am CST. Watch Live on lawandcrime.com

Cathy Russon on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Cheyanne Harris trial to resume this morning in LeMars, Iowa. Harris is charged in the 2017 neglect death of her 4month-old son, Sterling.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Today will be closing arguments. It will start with the judge reading the instructions to the jury ...

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Then the state gives a closing, the defense gives a closing, and the state gives a rebuttal. Then it goes to the jury

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Yesterday, the judge said closings might be wrapped up by noon.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

The jury should be coming at 9 a.m.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[altojack]

HayLouise, thanks for all you're doing keeping us up to date. Brilliant job.

It's 2.45pm here so I'm ready for the off.

 

[HayLouise]

Jury is in, judge begins reading the instructions aloud. Jurors have copies to read along.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

HayLouise, thanks for all you're doing keeping us up to date. Brilliant job.

It's 2.45pm here so I'm ready for the off.

You’re welcome!

 

[Emi]

Cathy Russon on Twitter
Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 39m39 minutes ago
#CheyanneHarris - Closing arguments this morning at 9am CST. Watch Live on http://lawandcrime.com

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 32m32 minutes ago
Cheyanne Harris trial to resume this morning in LeMars, Iowa. Harris is charged in the 2017 neglect death of her 4month-old son, Sterling.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 32m32 minutes ago
Today will be closing arguments. It will start with the judge reading the instructions to the jury ...

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 32m32 minutes ago
Then the state gives a closing, the defense gives a closing, and the state gives a rebuttal. Then it goes to the jury

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 31m31 minutes ago
Yesterday, the judge said closings might be wrapped up by noon.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 30m30 minutes ago
The jury should be coming at 9 a.m.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter
Jeff Reinitz‏ @JeffAtCourier 2m2 minutes ago
Jury is in, judge begins reading the instructions aloud. Jurors have copies to read along.

 

[HayLouise]

Count 1 is 1st-degree murder. Lesser included offenses are 2nd-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Jeff Reinitz on Twitter

 

[Emi]

You’re welcome!

I got it under control don't worry this is the only thing I love doing and enjoying

 

[HayLouise]

Count 2 is Child Endangerment resulting in death. Lessers are CE causing serious injury, CE causing bodily injury, and Child Endangerment.

... that it caused substantial physical harm, and that victim died as a result of the harm.

Ast. Iowa AG Denise Timmins is giving closings for state.

Timmins: it should be clear now that Harris didn't want the burden.

"She let her blessing die a slow, and painful and unnecessary death."

Timmins: We don't have to prove she intended to commit bodily injury

Timmins: Her first act was she chose to place him in the swing, face him to the wall and close the door. ..

Timmins: The act itself set off a chain of events that led to Sterling's death.

Timmins: after that, everything else she did that wasn't caring for Sterling was an act. Every time she napping on the couch ...

Timmins:Every time she took a shower and chose not to wash Sterling.Every time she didn't pick up Sterling and care for him, that was an act

Timmins: every time she did something else and Sterling's organs were shutting down, that was an act.

Timmins:She heard him scream, and she did nothing. How many days did he cry? Every time she ignored him, that was an act.

Timmins: Knew they were intentional bc she knew Sterling wasn't being cared for. Zach (father) didn't do anything.

Timmins: Harris was fully aware she was the only caregiver. Everyone knows a baby needs fed, hydrated.

Timmins: any person in that apartment would know that baby need help (shows autopsy photo of Sterling's face)

Timmins defining torture and cruelty, said the photos and 1st responder testimony showed torture and cruelty ...

Timmins: The bedroom was oppressively hot. 1st responder knew something wasn't write, deputy had to hold his breath.

Timmins: think about that his baby wasn't touched of held. All babies need that. That never happened. ...

Timmins: ... Maggots wouldn't have been there if he had been moved. They were crawling on his body.

Timmins: He sat there not being touched, not being bathed for 10 to 14 days, with maggots crawling on his skin & feeding on his feces.

Jeff Reinitz (@JeffAtCourier) | Twitter