IA: Football coach shot, killed by berserk former player

[seamusTX]

The subject line pretty much says it all.

Ed Thomas, a 58-year-old high-school football coach in the Aplington-Parkersburg school district in Iowa (middle of nowhere, but not far from Cedar Falls), was shot at point-blank range and killed this morning by a berserk former player.

The alleged shooter, 24-year-old Mark Becker, has a long criminal history. On Monday, he had been arrested after bashing a house with a baseball bat and evading arrest. He was supposed to have been kept in custody as a psych case, but somebody screwed up.

http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/s ... scdYQ.cspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... QD9918J2O3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Prayers for the family and friends.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

The shooter is reportedly a methamphetamine user: http://www.examiner.com/x-6121-Oklahoma ... h-violence" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[seamusTX]

Defendant pled not guilty, waived arraignment, and demanded a speedy trial. The trial will begin in September.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... 002/NEWS01" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed by the 6th amendment, but defendants usually waive it to their advantage.

Who knew Iowa requires "gun permits"?

- Jim