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In Des Moines, a plea agreement was reached during a murder trial involving a woman accused of killing her stepfather. Facing a charge of Murder in the Second Degree for the shooting death of Anthony Hartmann, 29-year-old Sera Alexander decided to plead guilty to two lesser charges – Involuntary Manslaughter, a Class D Felony, and Reckless Use of a Firearm Causing Serious Injury, a Class C Felony.
The trial kicked off at the Drake Legal Clinic in Des Moines, where first responders, along with Alexander’s brother and mother, took the stand. The prosecution contended that Alexander’s actions were fueled by anger and hatred rather than fear when she shot Hartmann in May 2017. Assistant Polk County Attorney Shannon Archer stated, “While he was collecting his tools, she was collecting her loaded gun, she was focused, focused on confronting him and removing Tony from her life once and for all. The imminent threat was his presence.”
Contrary to the prosecution’s claims, the defense argued that Alexander’s behavior was driven by a history of violence and abuse within the family that made her feel threatened. Defense attorney F. Montgomery Brown mentioned, “Tony displayed a smorgasbord of behaviors that instilled fear in the whole family, in Sera Alexander, and ultimately contributed to his death.”
Hartmann’s estranged wife, Susan Hartmann, and Alexander’s mother, testified that she struggled to feel safe at home due to Hartmann’s abusive tendencies. She recalled, “I never knew when I was going to get hurt. When he wasn’t physically hurting me, he was threatening. He would threaten to destroy the house. If I stayed, things would get destroyed in the house. If he wasn’t harming me physically… I never knew when he’d be on a rant and literally be up all night long screaming.”
As part of the plea agreement, Alexander agreed to waive her right to appeal, and both parties will have the chance to discuss sentencing on a later date. Involuntary Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, while Reckless Use of a Firearm Causing Serious Injury comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years. Notably, Alexander is also facing a $150,000 restitution charge.
The plea agreement marks a significant development in the Des Moines murder trial, shedding light on the complexities of the case and the challenging circumstances surrounding the tragic events that transpired within the family dynamic. The outcome of the sentencing will determine the final chapter of this case and provide closure to those involved.