Northwest Iowa — Only one of the two criminal trials scheduled to begin Tuesday in our area has actually begun. The second has been postponed once again.
In Lyon County District Court at Rock Rapids, the trial of 41-year old Perry Vande Kieft began Tuesday morning with jury selection, and by early afternoon the attorneys for both sides had begun their opening statements. You may remember that Vande Kieft is being tried for sexual abuse for allegedly having sexual contact with an 11-year old girl.
The second trial scheduled for Tuesday was in Clay County District Court at Spencer. In that case 40-year old Joshua Mandelkow of Milford is charged with the armed robbery of Barb’s Corner north of Everly just over a year ago. Mandelkow reportedly robbed the bar while armed with a shorgun, which he allegedly turned on himself after a brief car chase with police. Mandelkow’s new trial date has been set for June 6th.
Original Story posted at 6:45 am 4/4/17
Northwest Iowa — Two criminal case trials are scheduled to begin today (Tuesday, April 4th) in northwest Iowa.
In Lyon County, an Inwood man who has pled not guilty to felony sex charges faces trial today.
According to court records, 41-year-old Perry Vande Kieft of Inwood allegedly had sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl in the spring of 2015 and again in February or March of 2016 at Vande Kieft’s home.
Charges filed against Vande Kieft included two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree, which is a class B felony; as well as indecent contact with a child and possession of a controlled substance – marijuana. Vande Kieft’s lawyer asked that the marijuana charge not be tried with this case as it was unrelated. The court granted the request. The prosecution moved to dismiss the second count of sexual abuse and the count of indecent contact with a child. So the only count to be tried will be one count of sexual abuse in the second degree.
Meanwhile, in Clay County, a Milford man accused of the robbery of Barb’s Corner near Everly in March 2016 faces trial today.
Clay County authorities accuse 40-year old Joshua Emerson Mandelkow of robbing Barb’s Corner while armed with a shotgun. Deputies made contact with a suspect vehicle about 15 minutes later, leading to contact with Mandelkow, who reportedly shot himself with his shotgun as they approached his vehicle. He was taken to Rochester, MN for treatment of his injuries. When he had recovered, Clay County authorities filed charges of First Degree Robbery, Going Armed With Intent, and Intimidation With A Dangerous Weapon.
Mandelkow’s attorney has filed a notice with the court stating that the court granted Mandelkow’s request for a mental evaluation and Mandelkow intends to rely on the legal defense of diminished responsibility.
