Judge rules Jonathan McCaffery will not appear at trial next week

A Johnson County Judge approved Jonathan “Jack” McCaffery’s request to waive his right to appear at trial on Wednesday.

August 24, 2023

The Johnson County Courthouse is seen on South Clinton Street in Iowa City on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

A Johnson County judge approved Jonathan “Jack” McCaffery’s request to waive his right to appear at trial on Wednesday.

Attorney Karina Miller will appear in McCaffery’s place at the start of his trial on Tuesday at the Johnson County Courthouse, according to court documents.

McCaffery, 17, is the son of University of Iowa’s head basketball coach Fran McCaffery. He was charged with a simple misdemeanor which can carry the penalty of a $1,000 fine, a 180-day suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license, or both.

He reportedly failed to yield to a pedestrian right of way on May 22, which resulted in the death of 45-year-old Iowa National Guardsman Corey Hite of Cedar Rapids. The collision took place in Iowa City at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Kennedy around 4 p.m.

McCaffery pleaded not guilty to the charge on July 17.

Prosecutors filed a motion on Monday in response to McCaffery’s request to waive his right to appear at his trial, asking McCaffery to stipulate he was driving the car.

Under the statute McCaffery was charged with, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt he was driving the car when the incident occurred.

About the Contributors

Jack Moore, News Editor

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Jack Moore is a second-year student at the University of Iowa majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication. He is from Cedar Rapids Iowa. Along with working at The Daily Iowan, Jack works for the University of Iowa's UI-REACH program as a Resident Assistant. UI-REACH is a program for students with learning, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities intended to provide support to these students throughout their college experience. Additionally, Jack is involved in Iowa City's live music scene as he plays bass for local Iowa City band "Two Canes."

Grace Smith, Senior photojournalist and filmmaker

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Grace Smith is a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa double majoring in Journalism and Cinematic Arts. In her four years at The Daily Iowan, she has held the roles of photo editor, managing summer editor, and visual storyteller. Outside of The Daily Iowan, Grace has held an internship at The Denver Post and pursued freelance assignments for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Des Moines Register.