Posted on 06/24/2009 10:44:56 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Police have charged a 24-year-old former player in the fatal shooting of a prominent Iowa high school football coach.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
24? Coach must have really been hard on him to hold a grudge that long.
But guns at school are illegal. How could this happen?
Football coaches do elicit strong feelings both positive and not.
Parkersburg was hit by a devastating tornado awhile back, now this. I would imagine that this guy’s court appointed attorney will ask for a change in venue.
Cornhole?
By the way, Coach Thomas coached this team for 30 years with 300 victories. Several of his players have gone on to the NFL. Apparently, this Coach was a legend.
He is a sophomore, and he is mad because the coach promised him he would be a starter this fall.
I wouldn’t be in too much of a rush to judgment, but for such a long article you’d.think it would mention a wife or kids if he had them.
Will not be surprised if allegations of sexual abuse is involved.
Are the Sea Chickens going to be any good this year?
For the many who don’t know-this is a huge story for Iowa. Parkersburg is the town that was destroyed last year in a tornado. 7 deaths I believe. Anyway, this coach is a legend in Iowa. He has been the head football coach in a very small town that has I believe 4 current NFL players. This coach was also a leader in rebuilding their community. We are hurting today in Iowa.
Coach was one of the most highly regarded men in the Midwest.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
details here:
http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=10586585
Will not be surprised if allegations of sexual abuse is involved”
Ordinarily I would agree with your guess but my gut feeling is that this alleged murderer has held a grudge for many years for a football related slight(getting cut, lost his starting job). This anger has recently come to a head because of other life shaking problems such as divorce, loss of job, arrest and has manifested itself on the person perceived as one who initiated the shooter's “lifetime” of misfortune.
Or maybe not.
Police have charged Mark Becker, 24, with First Degree Murder. Becker is a former A-P student and football player.
Becker was also involved in a police chase last weekend. The chase started in Cedar Falls in connection with a report of vandalism and ended in Butler County near Allison.
Becker was taken in custody on Saturday and transported to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Cedar Falls police planned to file charges against Becker after his evaluation. According to the Cedar Falls Police Chief, the department was never notified when Becker was released
Becker involved in chase over weekend..
Court records show that Parkersburg police engaged in a high speed chase of Becker Saturday night after Cedar Falls police alerted them about an incident at a residence in which Becker allegedly broke out windows with a baseball bat and drove into the garage door causing more than $1,000 damage.
Parkersburg Police chief Chris Luhring observed Becker’s vehicle - a black 1997 Chevy Malibu - on Iowa Highway 57 westbound at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.
Luhring pursued the vehicle and observed him going through stop sign at busy intersection at high speed, according to court records.
A chase ensued that went in excess of 100 miles per hour. The chase ended six miles north of Parkersburg when Becker struck a deer with the car while traveling in excess of 90 miles.
Becker on Sunday was charged with eluding, speeding, reckless driving and failure to obey a stop sign.
Online court records also show that Becker has pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing injury, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief in the fourth degree in Black Hawk County in January and February.
He received a four-day jail term with the remaining 86 days suspended on the assault charge. He also was charged with underage possession of alcohol in August 2004 and pleaded guilty to that charge a month later.
A review of court records also that Becker received a deferred judgment on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia 2003. The court order signed on Sept. 3, 2003 also notes that “the defendant allowed to participate in football if acceptable to the school.”
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090624/NEWS/90624008
Alleged Perp Mark Becker
>>>I would imagine that this guy’s court appointed attorney will ask for a change in venue.
Lawyer better ask to move it to another state.
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