April 29, 2024

Full story: Dillinger pleads guilty to murder Friday

By KYLE WILSON
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Iowa Sen. Tom Shipley, right, speaks during Saturday's legislative coffee at the restored depot in Creston. Also pictured is Rep. Tom Moore. About 20 people attended the event. Watch video of Sen. Tom Shipley discussing Iowa's Medicaid privatization at www.crestonnews.com under the "Video" tab.

Jerry Ray Dillinger, 37, of Thayer pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to two life prison sentences without parole Friday during his arraignment at Union County Courthouse.

The charges stem from a December investigation into the discovery of the body of Loretta Lynn Dillinger, who was found in a rural Union County stock pond, and the body of a second victim, which Jerry identified as Michael Robinson of Thayer, on the property of Jerry's residence. Robinson shared children with Shelly Hartley, Jerry's niece.

"When a person pleads guilty, it's not merely a matter of saying, 'Yes, I did it.' The court has to be convinced that all the information is there and that they understand all the aspects of the consequences," said Union County Attorney Tim Keyon. "The impact that the justice system has on this, the family can understand that the system has done what it can to give everyone closure."

Plea

During the 9:30 a.m. arraignment Friday, when normally Jerry would plea and pretrial conference and trial dates would be scheduled, Jerry gave his plea and waived his right to legal representation.

"Both of these charges are murder in the first degree. Both carry mandatory sentence life in prison without possibility of parole," Lloyd said. "You understand that?"

"Yes," Jerry answered.

Lloyd continued to ask questions to provide a factual basis that Jerry understood his decisions to plead guilty and waive counsel.

During the questioning, Jerry answered yes to all the following questions Lloyd asked: if Jerry shot Loretta and the second victim with a firearm and believed the gunshot wounds caused their deaths; if he acted willfully, deliberately and without justification; and if he premeditated the deaths and undertook the acts with the intent to kill both victims.

"Is what you're doing here today being done freely and without any duress, threat or coercion?" Lloyd asked.

"Yes," Jerry answered.

Jerry's plea was not completely unexpected, but the proceedings of the arraignment were unusual to Union County.

"We had some idea that he (Jerry) may intend to do this today (Friday). You always anticipate unique developments," Kenyon said. "It was not completely unexpected, but this, to our knowledge, has not happened ever. Not in Union County."

Jerry also waived his right to a trial and against self-incrimination by giving the guilty pleas and voluntarily proceeding with the sentencing, Jerry said, "to save the victims' families and mine any more grief."

Sentencing

Jerry was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole immediately after the arraignment and a ten-minute recess.

"To me, consecutive sentencing recognizes the fact that there were two victims, and each of those victims is important and deserves the recognition that they were victims," Lloyd said.

Jerry was transported to Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale "by sun down" Friday, said Kenyon. Jerry will also be required to pay $150,000 in restitution to both the estates of Loretta and Robinson, as well as any other possible victims in the crimes.
During the sentencing hearing, Kenyon read a letter written to Jerry by Donald Post, Loretta's younger brother.

"'What gives you the right to take someone's life? ... Did you have to kill my sister and her friend? Couldn't you have just let her leave?'" Kenyon read. "'You will not be able to hurt anybody on the streets again. I hope your victim will haunt you forever.'"

Background

According to a Union County Sheriff report, Jerry confronted his ex-sister-in-law Loretta and the second victim, and during the confrontation, Jerry shot and killed both victims Sept. 22. During the arraignment, Jerry claimed he was not impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

Loretta's body was discovered by a bow hunter in a stock pond in rural Thayer Dec. 2. Loretta's body was transported to the medical examiner's office, where she was identified by her tattoos.

After executing several search warrants in December on Thayer properties, the skeletal remains of the second victim were discovered at 401 Fourth St., Thayer. Excavation equipment and a dog team were used to locate the remains.

Kenyon noted on record that the remains of the second victim were "substantially destroyed," and scientific analysis has not confirmed the DNA matches that of Robinson, and "may never be completed."

Jerry, who currently has a pending federal charge of acquiring ammunition as a felon, was charged the same weekend the second victim was discovered.

DCI, Union County Sheriff and Union County secondary roads, Iowa State Patrol, Creston Police, Department of Natural Resources, State Medical Examiner and North American Police Work Dog Association all aided in this investigation.

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Friday's story

Jerry Dillinger, 37, of Thayer pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder 10 a.m. today during his arraignment at the Union County Courthouse.

Dillinger was charged with these two counts of murder Dec. 12 after the body of his ex-sister-in-law Loretta Lynn Dillinger was discovered in a rural Union County stock pond Dec. 2, and the skeletal remains of a second body, which Jerry identified today as Michael Robinson of Thayer, was later discovered on the property of Dillinger’s residence in Thayer.

Court documents show Dillinger confronted and killed them Sept. 22. Officials say they were both killed by gunshot wound.

Dillinger was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison by Judge John Lloyd around 10:30 a.m. today. Dillinger, who waived his rights to legal representation and a jury trial, must also pay $150,000 restitution to the estates of Loretta Dillinger and Michael Robinson.

Robinson shared children with Jerry Dillinger's niece, Shelly Hartley.

Jerry Dillinger will be transported to Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale as soon as possible. Officials are hoping to have him in Oakdale "by sun down" today.

The News Advertiser will have more information in this case online at www.crestonnews.com.

DCI, Union County Sheriff and Union County secondary roads, Iowa State Patrol, Creston Police, Department of Natural Resources and State Medical Examiner have all aided in this investigation.