Most of us have heard about the devastations that the community of Aplington-Parkersburg has gone through in the last few years. The first devastation that the community went through was the tornado that went through Parkersburg and destroyed many houses. The Community rebuilt and didn't let the horrific experience dampen there community pride. One of the main advocates for rebuilding the Community was the long time Football Coach Ed Thomas. Ed was seen as a key supporter in the community and everyone knew who he was and what he has done to better the community. The second devastation that happened was on June 24th of 2009 when Coach Ed Thomas was shot by Mark Becker. Becker has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Both the prosecution and defense do agree that Becker has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, so his mental state is playing a huge factor in whether he will be convicted or not for the murder. Living in Cedar Falls for most of my life and having friends who went to Aplington-Parkersburg it hit close to home to me. I remember something on the news about how the previous day Becker had been detained by Cedar Falls police for breaking and entering a house in Cedar Falls. He was taken to Allen Hospital and was suppose to stay for a 48hr psych evaluation. However something went wrong and he was released that day. Which led to the next day's proceedings to Occur. One question that comes to mind to me is, is our legal system at fault as well because the procedure wasn't followed through. Also some say that he didn't know what he was doing but I wouldn't think you would be able to put bullets in a gun and drive to the school and shoot your former coach. I think this is a very big controversy in the Cedar Valley. Below is just one of the latest articles about the case.
"Jury Deliberating Becker's case"
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=4941821
I have been watching, what I could, on the live trial on Kwwl's website. I'm not from this area but obviously I have heard about what happened in my hometown about Coach Ed Thomas. When I came up here for a visit I travelled to Parkersburg to see the rebuilding that was going one. I was happy to see that they were rebuilding and everything was looking like it was getting put back together. I thought that it was over for them and their hard times. After about a month I heard about another tragic event that happened to their community. I couldn't believe it.
So, since I found out when the trial was to take place I knew I wanted to watch it and find out what happens. Then, I found out that Mark Becker was pleading insanity! I really couldn't believe that. How could someone plan the murder, and go around the neighborhood (that's what it said during the trial) asking people where Coach Thomas was. So, the thoughts that ran through my head were what was his motive for going after him? He went around asking for him so he was the target, and why did he want him dead? How can some really be pleading insanity after that? Watching the trial go on, I really didn't know much about Becker's past, and that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I still don't think that should be an excuse to what really happened because of the planning that went behind the murder. When a doctor that treated him, the day before the murder said that he was on medication and that the symptoms shouldn't be so strong should be effect by then I do have a hard time in believing that he should plead not guilty by reason of insanity. That is my personal opinion on the case. If he was crazy at the time, yeah, I feel bad but it doesn't seem like the facts of the case are really pointing to that, but that is from watching what I could and following on twitter with the updates.
Another thing about the case is the fact that it would be extremely hard to be on the jury. Looking from the jury’s point of view, they have to come in unbiased to the case but how many of them knew the coach and someone who was taught by the coach. I believe that it would be a hard case to be unbiased too. The jury selection would be considered Becker's peers because of the lawyers picking the juror with experience or wisdom. So, I am personally curious with what the juror's verdict will be in this case.
I have been following the case through twitter on updates when something happens within the trial. She is a reporter through Kwwl following the case. If anyone wants to know what happened step by step this is a great person to follow even if you want to find out what happened in the early days of the trial.
http://twitter.com/kwwljamie