Iowa teen who killed rapist sentenced, ordered to pay $150K

[sl8]

https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-human-trafficking-0b11cb8f4f0ff46d90ae17ece6bc7d15

Iowa teen who killed rapist sentenced, ordered to pay $150K

By MARGERY A. BECK
September 14, 2022 GMT

A teenage human trafficking victim who was initially charged with first-degree murder after she stabbed her accused rapist to death was sentenced Tuesday in an Iowa court to five years of closely supervised probation and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the man’s family.

Pieper Lewis, 17, was sentenced Tuesday after she pleaded last year to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury in the June 2020 killing of 37-year-old Zachary Brooks of Des Moines. Both charges were punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Polk County District judge David M. Porter on Tuesday deferred those prison sentences, meaning that if Lewis violates any portion of her probation, she could be sent to prison to serve that 20-year term.

As for being required to pay the estate of her rapist, “this court is presented with no other option,” Porter said, noting the restitution is mandatory under Iowa law that has been upheld by the Iowa Supreme Court.

[...]

[Tetrachloride]

1. "no choice ".

in those farm areas, choice means tractors, or ketchup or mustard sauce.

[jimfields33]

4. Why did she take a plea?

I think a jury would have acquitted. Her lawyer sucked IMHO.

[Tetrachloride]

5. Really good question. Appeal for incompetent counsel

[jimfields33]

6. Absolutely she should.

Perhaps that’s the next move. I hope so anyway.

[rsdsharp]

8. Whatever the hell that means.

I feel badly for this young woman; she has had a very difficult life. But for those castigating the attorney, he got her a deferred sentence, with no jail time. That means if she successfully completes her probation, THE CONVICTION WILL BE EXPUNGED FROM HER RECORD.

[flor-de-jasmim]

2. She was a minor! What is wrong with these people?

[secondwind]

3. Rapist's family should pay HER, what the heck???

[ratchiweenie]

7. This turns my stomach, She needs to appeal and some hot shot attorney needs to take the case pro

bono.

[JPPaverage]

9. The money has already been raised

There was a gofundme or something that raised way more than needed. I guess the remainder goes to combat human trafficking and abuse. So please think about this before you rip Iowans as being a bunch of "hillbillies" or whatever.