UPDATE: Judge sentences three to prison for 2022 shooting

UPDATE:

Polk County District Judge David Nelmark sentenced three Des Moines residents to a combined total of 125 years in prison Friday for a March 2022 shooting.

John Andrew Alcorn III was sentenced to 75 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 52.5 years. Judge Nelmark ordered the sentences on the three attempted murder charges to run consecutively, and the willful injury charges to run concurrently. 

Robert David Lyons and Rebecca Marie Lyons were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 17.5 years. The judge ordered the sentences on their five charges to run concurrently. 

The defendants were also ordered to pay pecuniary damages and restitution to the victims as well as to participate in a victim-offender dialogue.

Feb. 9, 2024: Jury convicts three of attempted murder

A Polk County jury convicted three Des Moines residents of attempted murder on Friday over a March 2022 shooting. 

John Andrew Alcorn III, 31; Robert David Lyons, 61; and his daughter, Rebecca Marie Lyons, 39; were convicted after a week-and-a-half trial.  In addition to attempted murder, Alcorn and Robert Lyons were also convicted of two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, a Class C felony. Rebecca Lyons was also convicted of two counts of assault with intent to commit serious injury, an aggravated misdemeanor. 

The victims -- Stephanie Clark, Jeremy Coleman, and Jerrel Elam – were from the Quad Cities area. On March 13, 2022, they had driven from Moline, Ill., to retrieve stolen money and property from Mr. Alcorn at the Lyons home at the 39th block of 11th Place. Evidence showed that the defendants, without provocation, fired 48 gunshots at the three victims. Ms. Clark and Mr. Coleman were struck and sustained serious injuries. 

Attempted murder carries a 25-year sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 17.5 years in prison. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced April 5. 

The Polk County Attorney’s Office thanks the Des Moines Police Department for their work investigating the case.