Conviction upheld for ML woman who fled from police
Jona Zeigler, 40, Moses Lake, ran the truck she was driving into a chain fence when she was reportedly running away from law enforcement in 2011. Pictured is the truck she was driving and Moses Lake police at the scene.
SPOKANE - The conviction of a Moses Lake woman who ran herself over following a police pursuit was upheld in the State Court of Appeals recently.
Jona Zeigler, 42, appealed a 2011 conviction for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, stating her absence from a hearing violated her right to be present at all critical stages of the trial and her council was ineffective, according to court documents. The judge upheld the conviction, including a 15-month prison sentence, ruling Zeigler voluntarily missed the hearing and her attorney was effective.
In January 2011, a Moses Lake police officer approached Zeigler while she was sitting in her truck near downtown Moses Lake. Zeigler reportedly had felony warrants for her arrest and told the officer "I'm not going," according to court documents.
Zeigler then backed up her truck and drove away. The officer followed and turned on his siren. Zeigler continued through downtown, ending up on Lakeview Drive. She then attempted to jump from the truck and slipped, grabbing the steering wheel before falling. Zeigler became pinned under the rear wheel of her vehicle.
Following charging, a hearing was held to determine if Zeigler's comments to the officer could be admitted in court. Zeigler did not appear at the hearing and argued the evidence in the case "fails to establish a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of her rights."
The court disagreed, stating Zeigler knew of the hearing and failed to appear voluntarily and pointing out her attorney was present.