Trial in infant death case delayed again

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The trial of an Alta Vista man charged in the death of his 4-month old son has been delayed once again.

The continuance in the trial of Zachary Paul Koehn was granted as he made a courtroom appearance in Chickasaw County for a pre-trial conference last Tuesday. Lawyers for both sides wanted more time to prepare. The continuance was granted by District 1B Court Judge Richard D. Stochl.

The trial had initially been set to begin Jan. 3 in New Hampton, then was re-scheduled to start last week. The new date has been set for June 11, with a pre-trial conference set for 9:30 a.m. on May 22 at the Chickasaw County Courthouse in New Hampton.

The trial and pre-conference dates are the same trial dates and times that have been set for Cheyanne Renae Harris, the mother of the infant. Although Harris is charged with the same crimes as Koehn, the two are being tried separately.

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Denise Timmins is prosecuting the case. Timmins indicated at the hearing that the state will try Koehn before Harris.

Their baby, Sterling, was found deceased in his infant swing Aug. 30 in the apartments on Hilltop Avenue in Alta Vista. After a lengthy investigation, charges were filed by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 24.

The two were arrested the following day for first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death. Harris was picked up by police in Riceville, while Koehn was arrested in Charles City, where he had recently started a job as a truck driver.

The criminal complaint indicated the child hadn’t had a diaper change, bath or been removed from the swing in over a week. The investigation indicated the parents’ various accounts of the death were inconsistent with the findings of the autopsy and investigation. A medical examiner ruled Sterling’s death was a homicide caused by denial of hygienic and nutritional needs.

“The cause of death was a failure to provide critical care,” the complaint stated. “The facts of this case go far beyond neglect and show circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.”

The infant’s weight and size at the time of his death was under seven pounds (3152 grams) and 14 inches in length (35.5 centimeters). Both of these measurements placed the child at well below the fifth percentile in both size and weight.

Koehn was represented by Steve Drahozal, with the Dubuque County Public Defender’s Office. Harris has been represented by Aaron Keith Hawbreaker, with the Black Hawk County Public Defender’s Office. Koehn is being held in the Chickasaw County jail while Harris is in Bremer County.