Jury Finds Kyle Ricke Guilty of First-Degree Murder
On Thursday, jurors convicted Kyle Ricke, 43, of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram. Ricke faces a life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for August 21, according to the Des Moines Register.
Incident Leading to the Conviction
Officer Kevin Cram, 33, was on patrol in Algona, a community of approximately 5,300 residents, when he received information about an arrest warrant for Ricke on a harassment charge. Upon locating Ricke and informing him of the impending arrest, Ricke shot Cram eight times, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Prosecutors’ Case and Defense Argument
Prosecutors highlighted that Ricke shot Cram after stating to his sister that he would not go back to jail. Video evidence showed Ricke shouting “Too late!” at Cram after the officer fell to the ground. Following the shooting, Ricke attempted to shoot himself but his gun was out of bullets. He fled the scene and was later arrested in Brown County, Minnesota, about 100 miles north of Algona.
Defense attorney Barbara Westphal contended that the shooting was not premeditated, arguing, “Mr. Ricke did not have the mindset to reflect on what he was doing. He was acting out of instinct.”
Emotional Courtroom
The courtroom was filled with Cram’s family and supporters, many of whom wept as the verdict was read after just an hour of jury deliberation. Ricke showed no apparent reaction to the verdict, as reported by the Des Moines Register.
