MASON CITY – A Mason City man accused of felony assault was exonerated by a jury last week.
Greg Allan Hodak, 47, was arrested on April 6th, 2012 and charged with willful injury (708.4(1)), a class C felony, after being accused of assaulting 52 year-old Mike Harrer on the evening of September 17th, 2011 at Spike’s Bar, 18 7th Street SE. “Officers responded to fight call at Spikes Bar,” the police report said. “A subject was severely injured during the altercation. He was transported to Mercy Hospital East Campus by M.C.F.D.”
Harrer spent considerable time recovering from the altercation in Mercy Hospital. It was said he had seven broken ribs, two broken eye sockets, and numerous lacerations. Hodak left the scene on his motorcycle before police arrived.
A twelve person jury in Cerro Gordo County found Hodak not guilty of the charge on March 29th, 2012. The case was prosecuted by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
I have a few comments/questions.
First I would like to share that Mr. Hodak works at Ellsworth Community College as an instructor. I know this is shocking considering his behavor and comments on this page.
Second, Mr. Hodak what did you mean in your statement when you said, “are you ready”? There is another statement with anonymous name saying, “anytime anywhere” was that also written by you? if so, what did you mean by that statement?
Third, the comment written saying Mr. Hodak doesn’t look like a felon. This was a naive comment however, look up his mug shot and not his employee photo and then reconsider that statement.
I don’t know either men involved in this incident and don’t care to. I do feel that Mr. Hodak has shown us all his true self by the comments written here. The “laughter” typed at the end of his comment was insulting and childish, he seems very proud of himself for an incident he should be ashamed of.
Parents and Students please remember that Mr Hodak is listed as Instructor at Ellsworth Community College, Economics Dept. Is this a instructor you want setting an example for your kids?
Not guilty decision does not equate with Justice. What were the circumstances of this verdict? Harrer, the pen is mightier than the sword. Take this perpetrator to civil court. You have less to prove and the financial liability is there. I have not seen where the perpetrator claimed to have not “done it”. Seek your medical bills and pain and suffering Harrer. This perpetrator may have eluded the criminal court but the civil court is a much more difficult task. Just ask O.J. or those who eluded vehicular homicide charges. The civil court and damages makes the point of liability and accountability for one’s actions evident.
HA! Catching up on my reading from home. Knew of this loser when he and I attended Newman. Bigger loser now! Hey maybe our old high school can arrange for you to be commencement speaker Gregie! What a fine example of our catholic faith and school’s influence you have become. Glad you are still there and I left!
Hey Retodd Lejerke! Anytime, anywhere…..
I agree with Legalese. Harrer if you are out there reading this you need to push your case through the civil courts. If your attacker works for the state his wages are easily garnished under law. Let him work each day knowing he is working for you and Mercy hospital Mike! I for one would like to see a follow-up story on this!
Ahhhhh. Exhonerated is right! Exhonerated not only from the B.S. crimes I was charged with but from every idiot on NIT including Marquardt. You fools that have nothing better to do than run your mouth about things you are completely ignorant of. If you weren’t there or at my trial you need to shut the hell up.
Hey all of you chicken-sh#@ chumps like “anonymous”, “watchdog”, and the biggest scumbag of all “legalese” are you ready??????
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Tee hee hee hee heee hee hee
Signed, Greg Allen Hodak
@Anonymous (Hodak)-way to stay classy.
Truth is, Hodak, you’re a loose cannon…I have witnessed you threatening someone’s life. How you have managed to keep your job at an educational facility is beyond me…IF you have. Also, I’m sure whoever does employ you is really proud of your statements made here. I hope that you don’t own pets or have a girlfriend or boyfriend, since you’re clearly an abusive man.
….. and liberty and justice for all. Harrer included. Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight that you start.
Military men have been trained to fight and not flight from the scene. But, they are trained to fight with the discipline of knowing when to stop. The fight stops when one person is down. How can something be called self-defense when a sober ex-Marine walks away with no injuries and flees from the scene and the victim has such severe injuries? The equation doesn’t add up. Another time, another jury, this man would have been charged.
A note for Michael Harrer: Unfortunately we live in a world today where the pen(checkbook) is mightier than the sword. Take this fine example of our Mason Citizenry to civil court. The burden of proof is much lower and obviously Hodak inflicted much injury on you. If hiring a lawyer is of concern, ask them to work for the pain and suffering, mental anguish and lack of work $$$$ you will receive. I am sure Mercy is anticipating payment for your week-long stay with them. Those $$$$ awards will most likely go straight to them. Your justice here will be financial Mr. Harrer. I wish you all the best as you pursue your options.
ask yourself why dose an innocent man run from the scene. self defence where do you stop when a man is out cold. I wounder are their a few people out their not sleeping well?
After having to decode that, I won’t sleep a wink tonight.
I know right? What part of the English language did you miss in school? ouch
Jim, do hear that sound? It sounds like the short bus is coming so you better get up so the driver can see you.
Doesn’t look like a felon? Ted Bundy didn’t look like a serial killer either. Patience here, individuals like this Hodak character will be back in the news. Too stupid for too long to not repeat. I am sure he has a past that relates to his present.
Agreed! I saw somewhere that this guy is in teaching. What a fine institution of learning that must be! In my book guilty as soon as he took off on the motorcycle. Coward!
Unless you sat through the trial, you don’t know what the evidence was or how it was presented. Plan to attend some trials and court hearings to learn about the judicial process and system. Juror are selected at random from a variety of sources. I am wondering why the Attorney General’s Office was involved since we have a county attorney and six assistants who need more to do to earn their pay.
Because our own county attorney is only experanced in plea bargaining. He has to call in the state everytime somebody will not take his deal.
Ah, are we forgetting the fourth part of this equation?
Who represented the defendant, and what kind of case was presented to the jury?
I didn’t think he did it, he doesn’t look like a felon…
Well, there you have it. If someone wrongs you and you feel threatened just knock his teeth out. Naw, that’s not enough, break a half dozen ribs and two eye sockets, you owe him and a jury will agree.
LVS. I’d be careful if I was you they way you rachet jaw around here…
This is par for a Mason City Jury.
Remember the article in Time Magazine (I think it was Time) where they wrote an article about Mason City saying you could shoot your wife and get away with it here.
Either the Jury got it right or we have a bunch of liberal loons for jurors in the Jury pool.
?????