Becker Family Speaks Out Against Mental Illness

((HT: WHO-TV Des Moines))

The HQ covered the murder trial of Mark Becker after he shot and killed his high school football coach, Ed Thomas of Aplington-Parkersburg High in Iowa last year.

The amazing story of forgiveness with the Thomas family and the Beckers is one we all need to keep close by these days.

Mark Becker's mother, Joan, is now speaking out against mental illness and got an opportunity to do just that at a walk in Des Moines over the weekend.

Dan Winters has the update and puts the story together...
 

Becker Gets Life Without Parole In Thomas Murder

((HT: KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids))

An Iowa judge has sentenced Mark Becker to life in prison after the family of slain Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) high school football coach Ed Thomas gave tearful testimony about the impact of Thomas' murder.

Mark Becker was convicted March 2nd of first-degree murder, which carries an automatic life sentence without parole. The 24-year-old Becker gunned down Thomas in the Aplington-Parkersburg High School weight room on June 24, 2009.

Iowa District Court Judge Stephen Carroll says Becker "imposed a nightmare" on Becker's and Thomas' families, along with the entire town of Parkersburg.

Carroll says Becker made a choice when he shot Thomas. Becker declined to comment before his sentence, but his attorney, Susan Flander, says "schizophrenia is not a choice."

Here's Dave Franzman on the phone, thanks again to KCRG-TV


Becker was also ordered to pay more than $150,000 in restitution and court fees.

Mark Becker Guilty In Coach Murder

((HT: KCRG-TV))

Mark Becker was found guilty of first-degree murder today in the shooting death of Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) high school football coach Ed Thomas last June. It was a unanimous verdict after 25 hours of deliberation over five days.

Here's the reaction as the verdict was read in the Allison, Iowa courtroom...


Becker's mother, Joan, spoke about her son as he went from being the son she knew to a son battling mental illness. She said her son could have never killed Thomas "in his sane mind."
"The system failed him miserably," she said.

Here's the rest of her brief statement...


Sentencing for Becker has been set for April 14th at 10AM local time...

Mark Becker Trial: Jury Given "Allen Charge" On Day 4

((HT: KCRG-TV))

The jury commissioned in the trial of Mark Becker continued its deliberation in Allison, Iowa Monday morning at 11AM eastern time.

They adjourned for the weekend without reaching a decision of "guilty" or "not guilty by reason of insanity" for Becker in the June murder of Aplington-Parkersburg High School ((IA)) head football coach Ed Thomas.

The judge gave an "Allen Charge" to the jurors late Monday morning after, about 40 minutes of resuming their duty.

He referred to the jury instruction which informs them "...it's their duty to agree on a verdict... not to hesitate... to reexamine their views and opinions if convinced it's wrong... but don't change your opinion as to the weight or effect of the evidence just because it is the opinion of the other jurors, or for the mere purpose of returning a verdict."

The judge went on to say: "Remember, you are the judges of the facts. Your sole duty is to find the truth and do justice."

TV9's Dave Franzman was outside for his live shot on a rare, sunny day during the trial... thanks again to our friends at KCRG-TV

Mark Becker Trial: The Jury Is "Sleeping On It..."

((HT: KCRG-TV))

Jurors are in their second day of deliberating the guilt or innocence of Mark Becker, the man who shot and killed Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) head football coach Ed Thomas.

Just before 3:30 ((local time)) Thursday afternoon, the jury of eight men and four women submitted a note to the judge that read: "We are at stalemate. Much discussion."

The judge sent them home at that point, but they are to return at 9AM ((local time)) Friday morning.

Court reconvened earlier in the day when the judge received a note that jurors had a question...

They wanted another look at a video and audio recording made during an interrogation.

On the recording Becker is heard to say the words "deep animosity" but the rest of the conversation couldn't be made out. It's not clear as to what the quoted remark is referring to when Becker said during the interrogation.

Dave Franzman got to freeze this time outside for his live shot from the town of Allison...

Mark Becker Trial: With The Jury

((HT: KWWL-TV))

Mark Becker's defense is based on a plea of not guilty by insanity to the shooting of Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) high school head football coach Ed Thomas.

Prosecutors didn't spend a lot of time on the evidence that Becker shot Thomas in front of 20 witnesses. Instead, both sides focused final arguments on the definition of "sanity."

Prosecutors told jurors that Mark Becker had a choice.
He made the choice to shoot his former coach.

For the state, their best argument against an insanity plea was all the careful preparation Becker made to hunt down the coach that day.

Becker's attorneys claim that responding to irrational impulses and illusions are signs of a mental disease, not pre-meditation of a crime.

"No one made Mark Becker say these things he talks about his plan how he practiced he explained it in an interview you can hear it in his own voice," said Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown- the lead prosecutor for the case.

"Voices were telling him to do bad things he thought he was under a spell," said his defense attorney, Susan Slander.

Here's noon-time, team coverage from KWWL with both Jamie Grey and Colleen O'Shaughnessy outside the courthouse freezing...

Mark Becker Trial: Heading To The Jury

((HT: KWWL-TV))

The only items left on the checklist in the Mark Becker murder trial are closing arguments, deliberation, and a verdict in the murder of Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) head football coach Ed Thomas last June.

Tuesday, the last rebuttal witnesses were presented by the prosecution to combat the "expert witness" testimony of the defense.

Psychiatrist Doctor Michael Taylor agreed with every other expert witness- that Mark Becker is a paranoid schizophrenic. But both prosecution experts insist that medical diagnosis falls far short of legal insanity under Iowa law.

"He did have sufficient mental capacity to know and understand the nature and quality of his acts," Taylor said. He based his opinion on Becker thorough attention to detail in the search for a weapon to kill Thomas, and finding out where Thomas was that morning.

The process begins again Wednesday morning...

Jamie Grey got to do a noon live shot outside in the cold...


Here's coverage from KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids as well...

Mark Becker Trial: Defense Rests

((HT: KWWL-TV))

On Monday, the defense brought in a psychiatrist from Cleveland, Ohio, who testified that Mark Becker fit the state's definition of insane.

Dr. Phillip Resnick has taken the stand in cases including the Oklahoma City bombing, the Unabomber trial, and the Andrea Yates trial.

Resnick testified Becker meets the definition for legal insanity in Iowa, which includes a person not knowing the difference between right and wrong and not knowing the nature and quality of their acts.

Resnick said Becker's psychiatric history of problems and the video tape following Becker's arrest led him to that conclusion. Resnick also said Becker did not believe he was hurting a "person" when he shot Thomas, but was instead saving children by "killing the devil."

"You do not know the nature and quality of your acts, you don't know that you're taking a human life if you believe that you are killing Satan," Resnick said.

During cross examination, the prosecution brought up that immediately following the shooting, Becker called Thomas, "old man," and also used Thomas' name.

The psychiatrist also testified that despite any planning before a crime, or rational decisions made while carrying out the crime, a person may still be acting on irrational thoughts or delusions.

"It's common for jurors to have the idea that if someone is capable of planning a crime, then they could not be legally insane, but that's simply not accurate," Resnick said.

KWWL-TV's Jamie Grey got to stand outside in the cold again today for a live shot...

Mark Becker Trial Day 7: A-P Students Called To Stand

((HT: KWWL-TV))

The defense continued its case in the Mark Becker murder trial on Friday with Aplington-Parkersburg High School students called to the stand.

The defense called three Aplington-Parkersburg student-athletes to testify. All were outside the weight room when Becker fatally shot head football coach Ed Thomas. They all had just pulled up to the school's weight room as the shooting happened.

They described hearing "loud cracks" or "firecracker sounds," later learning the sounds were gun shots.

Then they each said they saw students leaving the building, and Becker coming out of the door. One of the athletes said Becker started walking in circles and looked frustrated and angry.

Jamie Grey got to do her package on tape for Friday...

Mark Becker Trial Day 6: Defense Continues

((HT: KWWL-TV))

As Mark Becker's ((pictured, thanks KWWL-TV)) attorneys continue to build his insanity defense in the murder of Ed Thomas, the defense played an video interview with Becker, recorded just hours after Thomas was shot.

Becker sits alone in the sheriff's office for more than 30 minutes, occasionally shouting about the Devil and Lucifer.

"Get back Ed. It's done, you're done. You're simply done...Ed Thomas, you are done. You are never coming back," Becker shouted in the video.

He also shouts about "being on the white side, not the dark side."

In an interview with the Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigations ((DCI)), Becker claims he did a "great and selfless thing," also saying it was an act of God. Becker told investigators that the only way for the children to be free was for Thomas to be gone.

Becker also told DCI agents he had felt dead nearly his entire life until that point, saying he felt awakened from the grave. He also told the agents he did not plan to hurt anyone else that day, and that he went into the weight room to make sure students were out of the way before he brought in the gun to killed Thomas.

In the video shown in court, Becker said, "It crossed my mind to take his family when I was drinking coffee. But, I decided against it right away. It must have been him in there. His force is that big. It felt so right and so true. I have no guilt or shame."

Becker told agents he never intended to run after the shooting, saying he knew he was caught. When agents asked him what should be done if he was charged with the crime, Becker finally said he just wanted to be accepted onto the "white team"- alluding to his desire to be on the "white side, not the dark side."

The trial resumes Friday morning at 9AM local time.

Jamie Grey gets to contend with emergency vehicles outside court today...

Mark Becker Trial Day 5: The Defense Begins

((HT: KWWL-TV))

The defense's first day started by calling Joan Becker, Mark Becker's mother, as their first witness.

Joan Becker described her son's recent past, saying he had "become more inward, more depressed... It just kept going deeper and deeper."

She also said Mark ((pictured, in court, thanks KWWL-TV)) changed in September 2008, saying her son believed he was being turned into the family's dog.

Joan Becker says her son was committed to a hospital several times beginning in 2008. She says he would be given prescriptions when he was discharged, but did not always get them filled.

She would then describe what she called in her testimony "episodes" that Mark would have where he would become violent, and sometimes not even recognize his family. She said during Mark's first episode, he ripped down a poster of Ed Thomas and four former Aplington-Parkersburg High School ((IA)) players currently in the NFL hanging in his room.

The night before Thomas was killed, Becker called his parents, asking to stay at their home. The day of the murder, Mark woke his father up around 4:30 a.m. and wanted to have coffee.

"He seemed very happy, very at peace," Joan Becker said. She said there was no indication Mark was having an episode on the morning of the murder.

KWWL's Jamie Grey got to tape her report today...

Mark Becker Trial Day 4: Prosecution Rests

((HT: KWWL-TV))

The prosecution has rested after only two days of testimony in the murder trial of Mark Becker. He is facing first degree murder charges in the shooting of Aplington-Parkersburg teacher and head football coach Ed Thomas.

He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Prosecutors showed a video tape of Becker just hours after the murder. An Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations ((DCI)) agent who interviewed Becker said Becker's demeanor did not match his words. According to the agent, Becker said he was happy. But, the agent described Becker as sad, even saying Becker was slumped over in his chair and cried during the interview.

If that makes any sense...

During the interview, Becker described the series of events leading up to the murder, saying he believed Thomas to be a devil tyrant who was hurting people.

Becker told the agent that after shooting Thomas he said, "You're free, it's done."

Also during the interview, Becker describes elation over shooting Thomas, even telling agents, "I feel so sane right now. So straight-edged and right...and drug-free...I feel so much better."

The State Medical Examiner also testified about Thomas' injuries, including the placement of gunshot 6-7 gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma to Thomas' head, chest and right leg.

The defense asked for an acquittal, saying the state had not proved its case.
The judge overruled the motion.

Here's Jamie Grey's continuing coverage outside of the courthouse...
She's still freezing...

Trial Begins In Iowa HS Football Coach Murder

((HT: KWWL-TV))

Opening statements were delivered Friday morning at the Butler County Courthouse and testimony began in the murder trial of Mark Becker. Becker is accused of killing Aplington-Parkersburg ((IA)) head football coach Ed Thomas in the school's temporary weight room last June 24th.

The judge gave instructions to the jurors, explaining the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that they would be expected to take detailed notes to help remember the facts presented.

The prosecution explained a timeline of the morning events saying Becker broke into his parents' gun cabinet and practiced shooting a 22-caliber gun at a bird house.

They also maintain Becker went to the school and asked the junior high assistant principal where Coach Thomas was so they could talk about the Tornado Relief Fund. According to the prosecution, Becker went into the weight room, shot Thomas multiple times, then began kicking Thomas and swearing at him.

The prosecution says even if Becker suffered from a mental illness, it doesn't equal the insanity plea they have entered.

The defense argued during their opening statement that Becker suffered from mental illness that kept him from distinguishing right from wrong. They also say Becker had delusions the night before the murder and believed Thomas was Satan and was turning people into fish.

Jamie Grey of KWWL-TV in Cedar Rapids was outside the courthouse
Presumably, she was freezing...


The trial resumes Tuesday after a court furlough day Monday and could last up to a month...

KCRG-TV Team Coverage: Aplington-Parkersburg vs. Dike-New Hartford

For the first time in 34 years, Ed Thomas was not on the sideline for A-P Falcons

It was an emotional night for the town, and the coverage was wall-to-wall...
As it should have been...

Aplington-Parkersburg Highlights From Opening Night

((HT: KCRG-TV))

Aplington-Parkersburg Wins In '09 Debut

((HT: Cedar Rapids Gazette))
A red wave of Aplington-Parkersburg fans applauded in unison last night as their Falcons jogged off the field at halftime.

Nestled among the nearly 4,000 fans who packed Ed Thomas Field ((pictured, thanks the Gazette again)) were about a dozen sporting similar red T-shirts that read “Becker.”

On a night when the community paid one last round of respects to legendary coach Ed Thomas, the irony lies with Aplington-Parkersburg senior Scott Becker. His brother, 24-year-old Mark Becker, is accused of fatally shooting Thomas in front of 20 students June 24 at the school’s weight facility. Yet Scott, a two-way starter, received one of the loudest ovations from the home crowd.

Now in death, Thomas continues to connect the community, including the Beckers. Joan Becker wore the “Becker” red shirt and a pin with Scott’s photo. She stood and cheered as the Falcons intercepted five first-half passes. Watching the game was therapy for her family and a community still coping with Thomas’ death.

“It’s a huge relief for us to have this night here, because it’s what our community and our family needed to just move on,” Joan Becker said. “It’s what Ed would want the whole community to do, and the whole team to do. It’s a relief for the team, too, to get out there and play football and get to work.”

The Thomas and Becker families share the same church (First Congregational) and a love of football. Dave Becker — father of Mark and Scott — played for Thomas, as did Mark. The families also share the incident but are tied together in faith and forgiveness. Anything less would crush the Becker family, Joan said.

“We’ve just had nothing but tremendous support from our families, our church, the Thomas family and the community,” Joan Becker said. “It’s what’s allows us to keep going each day. We just couldn’t do without it.”

Fans wrapped the fences around Ed Thomas Field, also called “The Sacred Acre,” and cheered wildly from opening introductions through the long television timeouts.
As electric as last night was, today brings another reminder for the community.

Thomas is still gone, the team will play again next Friday and Mark Becker faces first-degree murder charges. But A-P’s 30-14 victory provided a much-needed salve to a community still blistered by Thomas’ death. It’s also healing the Becker family.

“We’re coping one day at a time with God’s grace, helping us through each day at a time,” Joan Becker said
((HT: KCRG-TV/Kellett))
Claire Kellett talked to Ed Thomas' widow, Jan, who spoke publicly for the first time since his murder...

Iowa HS Football Coach Murder Suspect "Not Competent" To Stand Trial

((HT: KWWL-TV/Jarvis))

An application filed Tuesday morning claims Mark Becker ((mugshot pictured, thanks KCRG-TV)) is not competent to stand trial.

Becker is charged with 1st degree murder in the death of legendary Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas.

The application says Becker was evaluated by Dr. Dan Rogers, an expert retained by the defense. Becker's attorney claims there are "specific facts showing the Defendant's mental disorder," and that condition would keep him from "understanding the proceedings or assisting effectively in his defense."

According to the court document, the doctor says Becker suffers from hallucinations and has difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy.

According to the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the prosecutors are expected to respond with a request for a separate psychological evaluation.

Football Practice Begins At Aplington-Parkersburg High

((HT: KWWL-TV/Cedar Rapids, Rick Coleman))

For the first time in 35 years-- two-a-day practices begin without the voice of legendary coach Ed Thomas barking out orders at Aplington-Parkersburg High School.

Coach Thomas was tragically murdered June 24th while conducting a workout in the school's weightroom.

This morning at eight o'clock-- the Falcon football team carried on.... holding two-a-day practices under co-head coaches Al Kerns and John Wiegmann...Two men who worked alongside coach Thomas for a combined 54 years. And as an added bonus--the Thomas legacy is also being carried on by his sons-- Aaron and Todd who have both returned to their alma mater. Aaron is the Falcons new athletic director taking over for his late father, while Todd returns to coach the A-P defensive line-- a position he held for five years under his father before leaving two years ago.

Kerns and Wiegmann say it's difficult not having their good friend and leader with them--but coach Thomas would have wanted them to keep pushing forward.

The Iowa Football Coaches Association has created a helmet decal in honor of Ed Thomas.

Here's the story as Coleman ran it on KWWL-TV

Thomas Accused Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

((HT: Cedar Rapids Gazette Online/KCRG-TV))

Mark Becker, 24, accused of shooting Coach Ed Thomas of Parkersburg, has pleaded not guilty in Butler County District Court. He pleaded in writing and also demanded a speedy trial, according to court records, which means it should occur in the next 90 days.

Becker, charged with first-degree murder, remains in the Cerro Gordo County Jail in Mason City under a $1 million bond.

Becker is accused of walking into a weightlifting session on June 24 and shooting Thomas multiple times at close range. He was arrested about 20 minutes later outside his parents’ home north of Parkersburg.

Becker faces life in prison if convicted.

KCRG-TV's coverage is below...

Thousands Attend Iowa Coach's Funeral

((HT: Cedar Rapids Gazette/Orlan Love))

About 2,500 of Ed Thomas’ closest personal friends converged here Monday morning to pay their final respects to the slain football coach who will be longer remembered for service to God, family and community.

“Everyone here has a personal relationship with him, because that’s the way Ed was,” friend and fellow coach and teacher Ed Kern said during Thomas’ funeral at the First Congregational Church ((NFL players who were players for Martin at A-P carry his casket, thanks The Gazette/Liz Martin)).

Including himself among the many people calling Ed Thomas their best friend, Kern said.
“And all of us are right.”

Thomas connected with people in a way that made them friends for life, said Parkersburg Police Chief Chris Luhring, a 1997 Aplington-Parkersburg High school graduate who played football under Thomas.

Thomas, 58, was shot to death Wednesday during a weight-lifting session at the school. A former football player, Mark Becker, 24, of Parkersburg, a is charged with first-degree murder.

Here's coverage of the funeral from our friends at KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids...