Tanawah Downing Jessica Saxton Davenport City Council June 25.2025 Facebook Video Screenshot

Last Wednesday evening, I got a text from a concerned citizen alerting me to the video of that evening's Davenport City Council meeting. Two people made presentations to the council about accessing the grand jury and did I know these people? Of course, I was glued to the playback of the council meeting that evening. After watching the video playback several times, my “Spidey-Sense” was tingling. I thought, “Is this crazy-bait? Are these people legitimate or have they been sent here to disrupt or discredit the critical discussion regarding the grand juries?”

Slide 2017 Northern Illinois University on Grand Juries Specifically the  Case Hurtado v CA

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/is-this-crazy-bait#overlay=node/69084/editSupporters of empowering county grand juries in the State of Iowa were likely surprised and excited by remarks made at a Davenport City council meeting on 25 June 2025 by Mr. Tanawah Downing and Ms. Jessica Saxton [~1:14:00 mark]. Their message was direct and to the point. The 5th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution are being violated by legislation passed by Iowa that permits prosecuting attorneys and police to charge by way of information rather than grand jury indictment.

On Tuesday, February 24, at 9 a.m., (previously incorrectly published as 8 a.m.) the annual selection of the Scott County Grand Jury will take place on the second floor of the Scott County Courthouse. This proceeding is open to the public, and the people should avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in one of the most constitutionally protected authorities still available to hold governments accountable.

The power of the grand jury is enormous. Most of us barely know of its existence, let alone embrace its vital relevance. The Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution (1787) provided for grand juries as a means of checks and balances, ensuring that the people, not government, held the ultimate responsibility for providing justice: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury ... ."

The 1846 Iowa Constitution (Article 2, Section 11) reads: "No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offence, unless on presentment, or indictment by a grand jury, except in cases cognizable by justices of the peace, or arising in the army or navy, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger" (RCReader.com/y/jury1).

The 1857 Constitution of the State of Iowa (Bill of Rights, Article I, Section 11), asserts that "All offenses less than felony in which the punishment does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars, or imprisonment for thirty days, shall be tried summarily before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized by law, on information under oath, without indictment, or the intervention of a grand jury, saving to the defendant the right to appeal, and no person shall be held to answer for any higher criminal offense, unless on presentment or indictment by a grand jury, except in cases arising in the army, or navy, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war or public danger."

Annually, 12 randomly selected members of the community form the Scott County Grand Jury, seven of whom are active, while five are alternates in case one of the seven cannot perform his or her duties. The grand jury has four primary responsibilities: (1) to provide indictments on criminal activities, whether brought by the county attorney or upon its own investigations; (2) to inspect the condition of all places of confinement in the county; (3) to investigate the circumstances involving prisoners who have not been indicted within the legal period of time (45 days upon incarceration); and (4) to investigate and indict misconduct by public employees, including elected and appointed officials.

The second edition of the Concerned Citizen newsletter has just been released over the weekend. Created by members of Iowans For Accountability (IFA), the first edition of the newsletter covered local political issues in Scott County, Iowa such as the 911 dispatching consolidation project, sustainable development, Fully Informed Jury Information (FIJA), had a suggested reading list, a schedule of local liberty meetings and government meetings, and even a local politician directory. 5,000 copies were printed and distributed. The second edition is now available to the public and can either be delivered or be picked up at the River Cities Reader building at 532 w 3rd st in Davenport. If you require delivery, please call Michael Elliott at (563)570-5395.

This second edition covers topics like the Bi-State Regional Commission, an open letter to the Scott County Grand Jurors, the IFA YouTube channel information, a new suggested reading list, and the new meeting schedules. These newsletters not only inform Scott county residents of important political issues in their local area, but also act as a way to give them a voice on various local issues that may not be covered by other media outlets in the Quad City Area. These newsletters are made possible by donations made out to Iowans For Accountability (IFA) which can be mailed to PO Box 514, Blue Grass, IA 52726 or dropped off at the River Cities Reader as listed above.

Both, the first issue and the second are available online as well. First addition is available here at http://www.scribd.com/doc/54185285/The-Concerned-Citizen-Vol-1-Issue-1, and the newly released second edition's link is here at http://www.scribd.com/doc/63923542/Scott-County-IFA-s-Concerned-Citizen-Sep-Oct-2011-Edition.