The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 13

AROUND IOWA The Des Moines Register GC Monday, October 1 6, 2006 Page 3B DATELINE IOWA From Register staff and news services Papers shed light on slaying Documents show that at least eight people were present when a plan involving Matthew Stegman was discussed. other two "began to assault Matt." The uncharged woman told police that she, Fisher and Johnson ran from the scene, leaving Myers and Williams behind. Documents paraphrasing the woman say "only Terry and Wolf came out of the cemetery. Terry said that he put his blade in the back of Mart's skull." The court papers contain no mention of any occult ritual, despite statements from some members of the extended group that there had been talk of a ritual sacrifice as part of the Wiccan or "Lucifarious" religions. Police do list tarot cards and a "stone charm" among the items seized from the apartment.

Hours after the murder, Williams talked of going to Stegman's funeral and Johnson "said that he sees dead people walking," according to the documents. All five of the accused are scheduled for trial Dec. 1 1. Reporter Jeff Eckhoff can be reached at (515) 284-8271 orjeckholfdmreg.com with a 13-year-old girl, the daughter of Myers' girlfriend. The newly unsealed documents also indicate that Stegman believed the group was planning to gang up on someone else at the cemetery that night.

According to the court papers, one witness overheard Stegman tell Williams that "they were going to take Andy to the cemetery tonight," while another said she loaned Johnson a knife because "he thought Matt was going to kill him." Documents show that the items police ultimately seized from the shared apartment included a "piece of lined paper handwriting dated 82306 signed 'Andy' discussing recent HIV results." According to the papers, one witness told police that Robert Johnston was not present when she, Stegman and the others went to the cemetery during the early morning hours of Sept. 3. Stegman, Myers and Williams all took off their shirts, according to the woman's account, and the mouth, was apparently entering Interstate Highway 35 headed north when he entered the path of Donald Millington, 43, ofGarnett, Kan. Millington broadsided Lanum's vehicle when Lanum drove into his path. Lanum, who was not wearing a seat belt according to the patrol report, was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead.

BURLINGTON Woman, 72, dies in morning house fire A 72-year-old woman died Saturday morning when the house she was staying in caught on fire. Ruth Seitz of Burlington was found dead in her second-story bedroom, said Burlington Fire Department Capt. Jeff Mc-Ghee. McGhee said more than 10 people lived in the residence at 1415 Agency but was unsure of the relationships among all of them. McGhee said Seitz had called 911 at 9:42 a.m.

Saturday. Three other people were taken to a hospital for treatment, and later released. ByJEFFECKHOFF REGISTER STAFF WRITER COPYRIGHT 2006, DES MOINES REGISTER AND TRIBUNE COMPANY The Labor Day weekend slaying of Matthew Stegman in a Des Moines cemetery was part of a plot discussed more widely than previously disclosed, newly unsealed documents reveal. Court records describing the initial investigation into the Sept. 3 stabbing death of Stegman, 18, were unsealed Friday at The Des Moines Register's request.

The search warrant documents, based on police statements with informants whose names still have not been released, show that at least eight people were present in a Grand Avenue apartment on Sept. 2 when Stegman's friends allegedly discussed a plot to lure him to Woodland Cemetery. Court papers show police ultimately tested the DNA of 15 people but arrested only five of Stegman's friends in connection with the killing. At least one additional person was present at the cemetery but has not been charged in the case. The five people arraigned on first-degree murder charges include: Sheri Fisher, 22; Terry "Trenchcoat" 1 Stegman Williams, 22; Robert "Wolf Myers, 24; Robert "Teardrop" Johnston, 27; and Andrew Johnson, 22.

Reported friends of the group, who were formerly homeless young people who had been sharing an apartment at 1519 Grand previously have said Stegman was killed when a planned beating got out of hand. Members of the group apparently believed incorrectly that Stegman had an inappropriate relationship CULVER SIOUX CITY Drug, gun convictions result in prison term A Sioux City man convicted of drug and gun charges was sentenced Friday, U.S. attorney Charles Larson said in a news release. Robert Williams, 44, of Sioux City was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison on drug charges and five months for a firearms conviction. Williams, known as "Pimpin' Rob," was convicted in June of possession and distribution of crack cocaine, as well as possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.

He was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon. This was the fourth cocaine possession charge against Williams. OSCEOLA Nebraska man dies in crash on 1-35 The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a Sunday morning car crash near Osceola that left a Nebraska man dead. Ray Lanum, 72, of Ports 1 Address a fexf message 2. For Sports Scores, type For Daily Weather, type For Stock Quotes, type 3.

Receive a text message 3- ZSt I Act now BEFORE wt-s- Fall High gas prices and instability in the Middle East have made renewable fuel a top issue in Iowa, of the corn-based fuel additive ethanol. Candidates for governor Chet Culver and Jim Nussle Iowa's production, consumption and development of renewable fuel and alternative energy a Nussle has set the goal of having 20 percent of Iowa's energy come from renewable sources by 2020, mainly through tax incentives for producers, retailers and consumers. "Now is the time to find new, innovative ways to capitalize on Iowa's valuable resources and ensure our state's economic vitality." The centerpiece of Culver's campaign Is a proposal to spend $100 million over four years to spur investment in renewable fuel technology focusing on the ethanol Industry in Iowa. "We're going to become the first state in the nation to declare independence from foreign I have a detailed plan to create a $100 million power fund to help jump-start the incredible opportunities." Nussle also has proposed offering tax credits to consumers who buy vehicles that can run on the 85 percent ethanol fuel known as E85. Both candidates have proposed mandating that all gasoline sold in Iowa contain 10 percent ethanol and increasing the availability of fuel containing a higher concentration of the corn-based fuel additive.

Culver's plans include tax incentives for ethanol producers and consumers. His focus is on building the Iowa economy around renewable fuel, while Nussle's plans are built more on tax incentives. I JJj Culver and Nussle have proposed expanding production of other sources of alternative energy, including wind, biomass and thermal, although with varying strategies. Culver has proposed tax credits to consumers who buy vehicles that can run on either unleaded gasoline or fuel blended with a higher concentration of ethanol. He has also proposed tax incentives for renewable-fuel producers that relocate to or expand their operations in Iowa.

v. sa- sii to 4INFO (44636). a team name (ex: cubs). zip code (ex: 50322). a stock symbol (ex: appl).

with the information. Learn more: 4INFO.net heating bills arrive START SAVING MONEY FROM LOZIER LENNOX OA UTILITY" WW REBATE 79500 mW TOTAL SAVINGS On a NEW LENNOX Signature Total Comfort System Why fix it, when you can replace it? Cat Utility Costs up to 50 ca tor 1 HO Hi-Ham-' Btumte Culver supports changing Iowa utility laws to encourage wind energy development and establishing a statutory mandate that 10 percent of the state's electricity be produced by wind. He also has proposed doubling the amount of energy produced by all renewable sources by 2010. "I see a gold mine of opportunity, unlimited potential for our state, and I'm excited about tapping that unlimited potential and helping Iowa to fuel the world." Nussle has proposed using the governor's office as an ambassador to private sector investors to increase wind energy. He also has suggested encouraging private sector investment in diesel fuel produced from soybeans, wind energy and biomass, the energy created from burning waste products.

"Iowa's location makes it a prime location for the development of wind energy production. Now, Iowa needs a governor who aggressively works to attract investment and develop this industry." Minin.ii a the nation's leading producer have both made increasing key part of their campaigns. NUSSLE campaign their children and grandchildren," Braley said. "That happens all the while the richest Americans are getting a bigger share of the pie." When Braley was growing up, his father, who farmed outside of Brooklyn, fell down a grain elevator, severely injuring himself. His mother had to return to teaching public school, and his father received worker's compensation.

His father died a few years later. The family struggled financially. But Braley said the federal government provided his brother with support a Social Security check until he was 18 years old. Braley said that the Republican attempts to dismantle government programs through tax cuts and other methods dilute the country's ability to help itself. "Republicans seem to be running on a philosophy of wanting to kill the federal government," Braley said.

"I don't understand why anyone would want to go serve the people and kill the very foundation that allows this government to create opportunity for the American people." Reporter Tom Witosky can be reached at (515) 284-8522 ortwltoskydmreg.com Value Personal experiences Lozier can help you NOW before predicted high heating bills Al iw $4 UPTO I fuel bitter of conservative philosophy must be recognized as the bedrock for financial success within the nation. "We are in a global fight for jobs, and we have to recognize that we must be able to maintain the U.S. as the best place to invest in the world," he said. Braley cites political climate Braley believes the political pendulum is swinging back toward the middle after years on the right. "For years, the Republican philosophy that has dominated our politics is one of profits over people," Braley told a group of about 80 elderly Cedar Falls residents recently.

"Philosophically, I always will put people before profits, and I think the time has come for our government to start doing that again." Braley says that he wants to protect government programs that have been successful in the past and to develop new ones that can create jobs and provide protection for Iowans, particularly the middle class. "We are not giving middle-class Americans the opportunity to get ahead and pass on the benefits of their gain to DISTRICT, from Page 1B they say. Troubles motivate Whalen Whalen talks about the early 1980s in Iowa like they were yesterday. He points to that time period as motivation for winning the election. Back then, Whalen, who graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978, decided to buy a trucking company and open a 100-seat restaurant in Davenport, where he grew up, instead of starting a law practice.

"Everything was just booming," he said recently. Whalen's father, Dan, was a lawyer in Davenport and had delved into real estate development. He said that his father's decision to build homes appeared at first to be a smart one. However, in late 1979, President Carter had announced a grain embargo against the Soviet Union for its invasion of Afghanistan. Whalen said that within 18 months of the imposition of the embargo, Iowa was in a deep recession that eventually would force bankruptcy on 10 percent of Iowa's farmers and huge layoffs at major agriculture implement manu- CALL TODAY, THIS ISA LIMITED TIME ONLY OFFER.

We 're 100 Years old and we 're celebrating by helping you save your hard-earned cash. Lozier, Iowa's Premier Lennox Dealer facturing companies like International Harvester, Deere and Co. and Caterpillar. The Quad Cities lost 26,000 jobs, and home prices plummeted, Whalen said, adding that one of the few successful businesses in the area at the time was U-Haul, for do-it-yourself moving. Whalen's father declared bankruptcy, and many of Whalen's friends and business clients were going broke and leaving.

"I watched grown men come in and cry, asking me for a job," Whalen said. Whalen said that he has always attributed the major recession that hit Iowa to a major failure within government. Whalen credited Ronald Reagan's policies with turning around the economy and making the United States attractive to foreign investment. Whalen said that the success tOOf-ZOOi I UU.