DES MOINES – A plea deal has been reached within the homicide trial of a lady accused of killing her stepfather.
DES MOINES – A plea deal has been reached within the homicide trial of a lady accused of killing her stepfather.
After being charged with Homicide within the Second Diploma within the capturing demise of stepfather Anthony Hartmann, 29-year-old Sera Alexander entered a responsible plea to 2 amended costs—Involuntary Manslaughter (Class D Felony) and Reckless Use of a Firearm Inflicting Critical Harm (Class C Felony).
Alexander’s trial started Monday on the Drake Authorized Clinic in Des Moines, with first responders, in addition to Alexander’s brother and mom, testifying.
The prosecution argued that Alexander was pushed by anger and hatred, not concern, in capturing Hartmann after he was in the home in Might 2017.
“Whereas he was gathering his instruments, she was gathering her loaded gun, she was targeted, targeted on confronting him and eradicating tony from her life as soon as and for all,” stated Assistant Polk County Legal professional Shannon Archer. “The approaching menace was his presence”
Protection attorneys, nonetheless, stated a historical past of violence and abuse with the household made Alexander really feel threatened.
“Tony displayed a smorsgesborg of behaviors that instilled concern in the entire household, in Sera Alexander, and in the end contributed to his demise,” stated protection lawyer F. Montgomery Brown.
Alexander’s mom and Hartmann’s estranged spouse, Susan Hartmann, testified Wednesday that she didn’t really feel protected within the dwelling, usually spending elevated time at work.
“I by no means knew once I was going to get harm. When he wasn’t bodily hurting me he was threatening. He would threaten to destroy the home,” Hartmann testified. “If I stayed, issues would get destroyed within the home. If he wasn’t harming me bodily … I by no means knew when he’d be on a rant and actually be up all night time lengthy screaming.”
As a part of the plea settlement, Alexander waives her proper to enchantment, and each side will probably be free to argue applicable sentencing on a to-be-determined date.
Involuntary Manslaughter carries a most 5-year jail sentence; Reckless Use of a Firearm Inflicting Critical Harm carries a most 10-year jail sentence. $150,000 in restitution may also be charged to Alexander.
