Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Defense attorneys are asking a judge to dismiss a charge against reality TV star Chris Soules for leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Iowa. Soules starred on the television show “The Bachelor” two years ago. The local farmer is accused of driving a truck that hit a farm tractor near his hometown of Aurora in April that killed the tractor’s driver. Soules was in the courtroom Thursday when his attorneys said they would formally ask for the charge to be dismissed at a hearing next month.
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police say a Waterloo man who called 911 in July to report the drowning of a child in a bathtub has been charged in the child’s death. Police say an autopsy showed 4-year-old Jaheem Harris had been beaten to death. The Courier reports that 23-year-old Walter Cordell Williams has been charged with first-degree murder in the child’s death. He was arrested Thursday and his bond set at $1 million.
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Repairs to a nature trail in Iowa have been delayed after the Federal Emergency Management Agency put a hold on a funding request. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that FEMA’s decision to halt the $380,000 request comes in the wake of severe hurricane damage in Texas and Florida. Blackhawk County Conservation Director Mike Hendrickson says the county was notified of the hold Friday. Hendrickson said it’s not a surprise that only critical needs are receiving funding at this time.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge won’t let a Des Moines woman use Iowa’s new “stand your ground” defense against charges that she killed her stepfather. The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if the person thinks his or her life is being threatened. Sera Alexander’s lawyer had argued that Alexander should be allowed to use the law although it took effect nearly two months after Anthony Hartmann was slain.