Cedar Falls Man Seeks Appeal in Stepfather's Slaying
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Apr 18, 2008 at 12:11 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 18, 2008 at 12:11 PM CDT
CEDAR FALLS (AP) - A Cedar Falls man who pleaded guilty to killing his stepfather is trying to overturn his conviction.
Ryan Eric Johnson is serving life in prison for killing Richard Harned, a Waterloo police officer, in September 2003. Police say Johnson then killed his own mother, Suzanne Harned.
Johnson was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, though one of those counts was dismissed in a plea deal in which Johnson only admitted killing his stepfather. Prosecutors say Johnson agreed not to appeal as part of the plea bargain.
Nevertheless, Johnson filed a motion this month in federal court in Cedar Rapids claiming he didn't understand the consequences the plea.
He says the plea deal had no benefit since state law required him to receive a life sentence, whether he pleaded guilty to one or two counts of first-degree murder.
Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson says Johnson's challenge could result in the reinstatement of the second murder charge.
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