Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — March 19-24

March 19, 4:22p.m.

Robbery in 2800 block of South East Eighth Street. Officers spoke with the victim, a driver from Pizza Hut, who was robbed during a delivery. He stated that when he arrived at the address he got into an elevator, as the door opened, two black males were standing there holding knives and said, “It’s nothing personal, just give me the money.” The driver handed them an unknown amount of money and the two suspects ran off.

March 24, 3:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Theft in the 1500 block of East Park Avenue. The victim stated that she left her car in the driveway and locked it. But when she returned to the car, the door was unlocked and multiple items including a camera, palm pilot, an adapter, an iPod Touch and a guitar, valued at more than $3,000 were taken. There were no marks on the car or evidence of forced entry. No suspects at this time.

March 24, 6:45 a.m. to 3:13 p.m.

Burglary in the 900 block of East 27th Court. The victim stated that between 6:45 a.m. and 3:13 p.m. suspect(s) entered her house through a window in the west bedroom, by standing on a bucket and removing the screen. The suspect(s) stole gold jewelry including bracelets, necklaces and rings. There was a large amount of electronics that were untouched. There are no witnesses or suspects at this time.

BUSTED

Name: Jeffrey Murdock

The story: Officers were dispatched to Don’s Auto and Truck Salvage, 1500 S.E. 30th St., on a burglary call. Upon arrival, they met with two victims who had the suspect, later identified as Murdock, in custody. The victims stated that they had been having problems with someone stealing vehicle parts out of the salvage yard. They noticed a truck parked in the lot next to the fence surrounding the salvage yard. The victims approached the truck when they saw Murdock carrying a radiator out of the yard. A saw was also found in Murdock’s possession, which he allegedly used to cut radiators from the vehicles. Murdock admitted to stealing metal objects and selling them for scrap. He was arrested and charged with third degree theft and third degree burglary.

DOCKET DIVING

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of the State of Iowa vs. John William Bingham.

“On the evening of Aug. 17, 2004, Detective Judy Stanley of the Des Moines police department responded to a call directing her to go to the residence of Barbara Gaston. Upon gaining entry to the locked residence, Stanley and other officers discovered Gaston’s body. John Bingham was later arrested following a high-speed chase. During that interview, Bingham initially denied any involvement in Gaston’s death. However, he eventually admitted that he and Gaston had argued that day over his employment situation. He further admitted that he grabbed her by the neck, heard something crack, and dropped her to the floor. He then tried to make it look like an accident and left the house, proceeding to drink at three different bars before being arrested.

“Following the trial, the jury found Bingham guilty of first-degree murder. The court later sentenced him to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Prior to trial, Bingham moved to suppress the statements made to police during the interview. The district court concluded Bingham had not voluntarily waived his Fifth Amendment right to counsel, and suppressed Bingham’s confession and any evidence resultantly obtained. “At trial, the State introduced the evidence Bingham had sought to suppress. Now on appeal from his conviction, Bingham again urges that the confession was obtained unconstitutionally and should have been suppressed. The acts to which Bingham confessed reflect a degree of premeditation and deliberateness. When he returned home he found the door locked. He kicked the door down and barged in and then knocked the phone out of Gaston’s hand as she attempted to alert police. Afterwards, he grabbed her by the neck and pushed her to the ground. The injuries and manner of death indicate the presence of malice. Gaston was manually strangled and suffered a broken hyoid bone. The medical examiner testified that compression of the neck for between thirty seconds and one minute is required to cause death by strangulation.

“Our review of the record convinces us the evidence does not preponderate heavily against the verdict and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in failing to grant Bingham’s motion for new trial.”

Most wanted

Name: Timmy Sholley
Age: 36
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 179 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Wanted for: Escape and violation of sex offender registry. Sholley is considered dangerous. If you know where to find this fugitive, call Crime Stoppers at
223-1400.

34.4 : The average age of the population of Polk County.

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