From the Big Suprises Department

As expected, a Storm Lake jury quickly convicted Sessions Harper in the atrocious sexual assault and murder by arson of a Fort Dodge woman last year. The jury was out for three hours, which raised the question in some folks' minds "What took them so blamed long? Was it the free lunch?"

As we reported recently, there is an interesting issue that will be presented on appeal that sets this case apart from more pedestrian sordid crimes, and that is the validity of the dying declarations of the victim, one Holly Michael. Look for the appeal in about two years.

Be it remembered, Harper was on the sex offender registry. Let us fervently hope that we are done with him; the air will breathe a little freer.