City Still in Shock After Slaying of Mayor
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MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa — Workmen scrubbed bloodstains at City Hall on Friday as the City Council held a subdued meeting across the street to name a temporary replacement for the popular mayor slain by a man irate over a backed-up sewer.
“I think the important thing now is to get through this crisis,” said James Carson, 39, a therapist at a state mental health institute who was chosen as acting mayor by three of his colleagues.
It was the first council meeting since Wednesday night’s session ended with Mayor Edward King dead after being shot twice in the head and two council members wounded.
Councilwoman Joann Sankey, hit in the chest and stomach, remained in critical condition Friday at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Ronald Dupree was upgraded to good condition at the hospital.
Ralph Orin Davis, 69, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of King and with two counts of attempted murder in the wounding of the council members.
Davis was in the Henry County Jail in lieu of $700,000 cash bond Friday, but Sheriff Terry Morrow was considering moving Davis to another jail to defuse tensions in the town.
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