criminal justice

Advocates are raising concerns about recent restrictions put in place in some of Iowa's prisons. The changes come in the wake of the killings of two staffers at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, allegedly by two inmates. Some loved ones worry the conditions behind bars may lead to further violence.

Extreme heat is posing a danger to vulnerable people throughout Iowa this week, with heat indices well above 100 degrees in some areas. The temperatures are especially concerning for some of the state’s prisons, which don’t have air conditioning.

Prosecutors sought to poke holes in new testimony presented in court Tuesday in the case of Cristhian Bahena Rivera. His attorneys want another trial after new evidence surfaced related to the 2018 death of Mollie Tibbetts.

A judge has denied the defense’s request for more information on other potential suspects in the death of Mollie Tibbetts. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who was convicted of killing her, is seeking a new trial after new witnesses came forward in the case.

A sentencing hearing for the man convicted of killing Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts has been delayed, after his attorneys requested a new trial and more time to review new evidence. Instead of sentencing Cristhian Bahena Rivera on Thursday, a judge will hold a hearing on defense requests to compel prosecutors to hand over information about other suspects.

Incarcerated Iowans are once again being allowed to visit with their loved ones face-to-face, after 16 months of no in-person contact. Visits at state prisons resumed on July 10, though social distancing and other restrictions remain in place.

The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the portion of a Waterloo "ban the box" ordinance that prevents businesses from asking about a prospective employee’s criminal record on a job application. But the court found the city cannot ban employers from making hiring decisions solely on an applicant’s criminal history.

The trials of the two men accused of killing two prison employees at the Anamosa State Penitentiary have been rescheduled. Inmates Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard are now slated to go on trial in August and September.

Longtime Polk County Attorney John Sarcone is retiring after three decades on the job. Now an assistant county attorney and a defense attorney are jumping into the race to replace him.

Jury selection is underway in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who faces a first degree murder charge in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, an Iowa college student who disappeared while on a run in 2018. Attorneys acknowledged Monday the trail will be a challenging one, and there are concerns around finding a fair and impartial jury.