Lang
9/27/24
A suspect in a 2023 drag racing death near City High School has entered guilty pleas to two charges against him, but prosecutors are asking a judge not to accept them.
18-year-old Kesean Ford entered guilty pleas to charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Homicide by Vehicle While Drag Racing earlier this week. He was also initially charged with Homicide by Vehicle While Speeding Over 25 Miles Per Hour Over the Speed Limit and Homicide By Vehicle While Driving Recklessly.
Ford and 18-year-old Elijah Seals are accused of drag racing on Court Street before striking a vehicle being driven by 22-year-old Jennifer Russell of Waterloo near the 7th Avenue intersection. Russell died at the University of Iowa Health Care Campus Medical Center. Ford and Seals were also treated at the medical facility for their injuries. Seals faces the same four counts with which Ford is charged.
Prosecutors are asking Judge David Cox not to accept Ford’s guilty pleas because they didn’t agree to the terms. They note the two charges to which Ford pleaded guilty are punishable by only five years in prison each, while the other two charges carry maximum sentences of ten years.
Cox delayed Ford’s trial while he considers the prosecution’s request. Seals is set to stand trial on October 8th.