Iowa Court of Appeals upholds Minnesota man’s conviction in high speed chase that ended in Winnebago County
DES MOINES — The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of a southern Minnesota man who led authorities on a high-speed chase that started in Minnesota and ended in Winnebago County in Iowa.
On the night of December 28th in 2022, Brent Shaikoski of the town of Winnebago in Minnesota led Blue Earth police on a pursuit that came into Winnebago County. During the pursuit, the vehicle Shaikoski was driving topped speeds of 115 miles per hour. Shaikoski eventually lost control of the pickup with it ending up coming to rest on its passenger side, with Shaikoski being found inside the pickup.
A Winnebago County jury found him guilty in August 2023 of eluding while participating in a felony, possession of methamphetamine second offense, and operating while intoxicated third or subsequent offense, with District Associate Judge Karen Kaufman Salic sentencing him to a total of 32 years in prison.
Shaikoski appealed, saying there was insufficient evidence that he was driving the vehicle that eluded law enforcement in Iowa and that officers could not say whether it was Shaikoski or his companion in the vehicle.
The Iowa Court of Appeals in its ruling issued today affirmed the conviction, saying the jury by using their common sense and crediting the testimony of the officers involved in the pursuit that they had the opportunity to reject Shaikoski’s claim.
