We considered three diverse topics. First was Red Friars Valentine dinner dance, coming up on February 14. Second is a discussion with former County Attorny Mary Richards about the effect of the recent U.S. Supreme Court Case on the sentencing of Yvette Louisell who was convicted of murder in 1988. At that time Richards was the prosecuting attorney, and conviction resulted in a mandatory life sentence without parole. The possible resentencing of Louisell was used to discuss the issues regarding new sentencing legislation in Iowa. Our coverage went beyond that into the grounds for making decisions on juvenile justice. Lastly, the program concluded with a segment on the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).
The specifics of the Louisell case are described in a Des Moines Register Story (1/31/2014)
Reporters: Pat Schlarbaum and Kay Puttock
Hosts: Ursula Ruedenberg and Susan Franzen
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We spoke with:
- Shirley Shaw, for Red Friars (515) 292-2333
- Mary Richards, former Story County Attorney
- Stephen Holmes, Story County Attorney
- Doug Gentile, Developmental Psychologist
- Deborah Niehoff, Director of National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
- Special thanks to Representative Beth Wessell-Kroschell and her staff for her report from the Judicial Committee of the Legislature
Originally broadcast 02/06/2014
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