Des Moines, November 5, 2015– On Monday, November 16, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in West Des Moines, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Avenue. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in one case:

State of Iowa v. Donald Benjamin Earl Reed, case no. 13-0988, from Black Hawk County District Court

Defendant Donald Reed seeks further review of an Iowa Court of Appeals decision affirming his convictions on a variety of drug-related charges and affirming the sentence of 100 years imposed on him that was enhanced by a prior juvenile adjudication. Issues before the Iowa Supreme Court include whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to support the convictions, whether trial counsel was ineffective, and whether the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Iowa Constitution affords defendant an individualized evidentiary sentencing hearing.

Attorneys' briefs for the cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Offsite_Oral_Arguments_Des_Moines/index.asp

A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Staplin Center lobby. The reception is sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association.

Note to Editors: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules apply regarding still camera, video camera, audio recording devices, and other electronic devices used during the oral arguments. Information on expanded media coverage is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/Expanded_News_Media_Coverage/

The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CR/LINC/04-30-2014.chapter.25.pdf

 

 

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