Woman who vandalized patrol cars launches $50K GoFundMe
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A Des Moines woman who admits she last year vandalized 15 law enforcement vehicles recently launched a $50,000 online fundraiser to cover her restitution and legal expenses.
Why it matters: Giada Morresi — a social justice organizer and a DSM Transportation Safety Committee member at the time of her arrest — provides insight from her perspective about the incident.
Catch up quick: The incident, in which Story County Sheriff and Iowa State Patrol vehicles were damaged, was captured on security footage in the tailgating area of an Iowa-Iowa State football game in September.
- Images released by police led to Morresi being identified and arrested days later.
State of play: Morresi pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal mischief in March and was ordered to pay nearly $45,000 in restitution.
- She also received deferred judgment, which means she will avoid conviction if she successfully completes two years of probation.
Driving the news: Morresi recently asked a judge to reduce restitution by just over $10,000, noting that some of the vehicles hadn't yet been repaired and alleging that prosecutors failed to show their diminution in value.
- District Court Judge Jennifer Miller last month rejected the argument and ordered her to pay the full amount.
Zoom in: Morresi wrote on her GoFundMe that her actions were not violent and caused minor damage, whereas cops, she alleges, regularly harm people without being held accountable.
- She also doubled down on her decision to key the cars, saying she stands by what she did.
The latest: In less than two weeks, Morresi has raised more than $1,000.
What they're saying: Morresi and ISU Police Chief Michael Newton separately declined Axios' requests for comment.
- The Story County Attorney's Office did not respond to our request.
