State responds to Trott appeal

A state attorney defended the Iowa Supreme Court decision that allowed jurors to hear statements by Corey Trott in the hours following the death of Rockwell City Police Officer Jamie Buenting.
Trott was convicted of first-degree murder last year for the 2013 shooting. Trott’s attorney argued Trott should not have been ruled competent enough to waive his Miranda rights and speak with law enforcement officers after being taken into custody. Assistant Attorney General Jean C. Pettinger wrote the state’s high court was correct in ruling that law enforcement officers properly asked Trott for an interview a second time, after Trott denied the initial request.
“(Trott) claims his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination was violated when (Department of Criminal Investigation) Agent John Turbett questioned him while he was in custody at the Sac County jail,” Pettinger wrote. “(Trott) therefore contends any statements he made during that interview should have been suppressed at trial.”
Read more in the July 8 edition.