THE DARK SIDE OF IOWA
Duane Wright
#0208314
Full Name: Duane Eddie Wright
DOB: January 13, 1961
Charge: 1st degree murder
County: Black Hawk
City: Waterloo
Current Status: Anamosa State Penitentiary
Partner in Crime: Rodney Jackson
Date of Crime: September 3, 1983
Tentative Discharge Date: Life
Victim: Louis Reuter
DOB: January 13, 1961
Charge: 1st degree murder
County: Black Hawk
City: Waterloo
Current Status: Anamosa State Penitentiary
Partner in Crime: Rodney Jackson
Date of Crime: September 3, 1983
Tentative Discharge Date: Life
Victim: Louis Reuter
Duane Eddie Wright and Rodney Jackson were accused of robbing and killing Louis Reuter in Waterloo in the early morning hours of September 3, 1983. Louis was struck on the head with an 8-pound tree limb. His body was found near an alley in a residential area at approximately 3:00 AM. Near the body were various personal items including a King Edward cigar box. The bloodstained tree limb was also found there.
Louis’ car was found some distance away at the home of Donnell Wright. Partially burned items, including cigar boxes, were found in a barrel behind Donnell’s home. Other items belonging to the victim were found in the back yard. The battery and radiator were missing from the car.
Donnell initially told the police various stories about the car. Eventually, he told officers that his brother, Duane Wright and another man had driven to his home in the victim’s car and told him “they had beat up an old white man and had robbed him of a few dollars.” He said the two men rummaged through the car, keeping tools and cigars and burning other items. He said the three of them carried the tools and cigars into Donnell’s home.
At Donnell’s home, the three men and a woman, Kathy Jackson, had a drink. After a while, according to Donnell, the stranger said he wanted to leave and suggested to Duane that they get a bottle the old man had in his car and “go back to Al’s.” The two men then left. Donnell identified Rodney from a photo lineup as the man who had accompanied his brother.
Louis’ car was found some distance away at the home of Donnell Wright. Partially burned items, including cigar boxes, were found in a barrel behind Donnell’s home. Other items belonging to the victim were found in the back yard. The battery and radiator were missing from the car.
Donnell initially told the police various stories about the car. Eventually, he told officers that his brother, Duane Wright and another man had driven to his home in the victim’s car and told him “they had beat up an old white man and had robbed him of a few dollars.” He said the two men rummaged through the car, keeping tools and cigars and burning other items. He said the three of them carried the tools and cigars into Donnell’s home.
At Donnell’s home, the three men and a woman, Kathy Jackson, had a drink. After a while, according to Donnell, the stranger said he wanted to leave and suggested to Duane that they get a bottle the old man had in his car and “go back to Al’s.” The two men then left. Donnell identified Rodney from a photo lineup as the man who had accompanied his brother.
Source: Case Text
