DUBUQUE — One of three defendants in the December 2011 death of a Hazel Green man was placed on two years probation in Dubuque District Court Wednesday.
Denise R. Deckert, 41, Dubuque, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence as part of her probation term. The term also includes an unspecified number of hours of community service and $10,000 in fines.
Deckert was convicted Nov. 8 of two aggravated misdemeanors under Iowa law, being an accessory after the fact and preventing apprehension or obstructing prosecution.
Deckert and two other people were charged in connection with a crash on U.S. 52 near Sherrill, Iowa, Dec. 27, 2011, that killed Casey Craugh, 28, Hazel Green.
A plea agreement was reached March 20 with Tamra L. Schuckert, of Bellevue, Iowa, on a charge of preventing apprehension or obstructing prosecution. A charge of accessory to a felony was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Schuckert was placed on two years probation, including a two-year suspended prison sentence and a $5,000 fine.
Earl J. Hiland III, 42, Dubuque, gave an Alford plea Feb. 25 to charges of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and solicitation to commit accessory after the fact.
Hiland gave his plea before his trial was to begin. His sentencing is scheduled for May 13. The plea agreement includes a recommendation of a five-year prison sentence for the first charge and a two-year sentence on the second charge, to run consecutively.
Deckert was the owner of the pickup truck Hiland allegedly was driving during the crash. According to Dubuque County court records, Schuckert, Hiland’s ex-wife, and Deckert told authorities Schuckert was driving the truck at the time of the crash. Authorities said Deckert and Schuckert changed their stories upon questioning.