Cedar Rapids PD make arrest, stemming from Mistrial

{ }Friday night, the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) announced they've made an arrest on charges stemming from Mistrial. As the result of an investigation associated with an August 2022 mistrial, Nakia Long, 23, of Cedar Rapids was arrested on charges of Perjury and Fraudulent Practices. On Friday, Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever, declared a mistrial in a case involving a man charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. This comes after Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks notified Judge McKeever one of the jurors was an associate of Royal Jones, the man on trial. Officers testifying during the trial recognized the juror and made Maybanks aware of the association between the juror and Jones. As part of the jury selection process, a panel was selected. Prior to the preliminary examination of a juror by a judge or counsel, the jury took an oath to answer questions truthfully. Judge McKeever asked the panel if anyone knew the defendant, Jones. No one on the panel, including Long, indicated they knew Jones. All jurors are also provided a basic questionnaire to provide background information about themselves to aid the court and attorneys in the jury selection process. One of the key areas upon which the jurors are questioned is the juror’s history of criminal convictions. In addition to Long not divulging she knew Jones after taking the oath; it was discovered that Long substantially understated her criminal convictions on the questionnaire. Long was taken into custody by CRPD and transferred to the Linn County Jail. There is an ongoing investigation. We've attached a link in our news story with more information.{ }{p}{/p}